Driver Licensing for Goods Vehicles and The FTA Guide to Managing Drivers is now available from the FTA.

Understanding and effectively checking driving licences is vital in protecting transport operations against potential accidents and the penalties resulting from non-compliance.  A new two-disc package, Driver Licensing for Goods Vehicles, produced by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) with the support of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), helps those who are responsible for checking driving licences to understand why the checks are important, as well as ensuring they are competent to carry them out.

The first 12-minute DVD explains the problems of failing to check drivers’ licences properly, the format of driving licences including security features, categories and restrictions and how to carry out checks.  

The second disc provides guidance on Driver CPC records and compliance, information relating to EU and other non-UK licences, and other information, notes and tools, including FTA’s Driver CPC record and planner spreadsheet.

The Driver Licensing for Goods Vehicles DVD is available from Shopfta at £25 for FTA members, £40 for non-members, with discounts for multiple copies.  Order online at www.shop.fta.co.uk or call 08717 111111, quoting code 5042.

The FTA has also published a completely updated version of its Guide to Managing Drivers, which provides advice and guidance to help operators manage drivers in a professional way. 

Drivers are at the forefront of the road freight industry, whose image depends on them.  Companies also rely on their drivers to ensure a cost effective road freight operation, keeping fuel use down, minimising vehicle wear and tear, and keeping maintenance, insurance and accident costs down.  However, driver actions are also the way in which poor management practices come to the surface, so getting the best out of them is crucial in order to operate vehicles in a cost effective and customer-focused way.

The FTA Guide to Managing Drivers covers recruitment, checking driving entitlement and carrying out inductions through to managing drivers’ hours, ensuring daily walk around checks are carried out properly and managing driver infringements.  It also looks at good practice when using agency drivers and provides sample forms and checklists that will help managers in their day-to-day tasks.

The FTA Guide to Managing Drivers is available from Shopfta at £15.00 for FTA members, £25.00 for non-members, with discounts for multiple copies.