FORS set to welcome single van owner/operators

FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, has announced it is to deliver its best practice road transport principles for single van operations where the vehicle owner is also the driver. The move is aimed at driving up standards of safety, efficiency and environmental protection in this relatively hard to reach sector, with the help of a low-cost, easy to understand FORS accreditation.

Key to the move is a FORS Bronze audit to suit owner van drivers. While van operations are regulated, the requirement to evidence compliance, conduct checks, undertake training and retain records is less stringent than for businesses operating under O-Licence conditions. The FORS Bronze audit includes management responsibilities, driver competence and fitness, vehicle roadworthiness and operational management. A dedicated toolkit has been developed to assist owner van drivers in preparing for audit. Once registered, FORS provides access to the extensive FORS Professional training portfolio as well as further benefits and incentives from FORS events and partner offers.

FORS has already engaged with leading courier and parcel delivery specialist Cargo2Go via the Transport Exchange Group – where business is shared among self-employed van drivers, and where FORS is now in place to serve as a best practice requirement. Geraint Davies, concession director at FORS, said:

Following our assessment of owner van driver operations, we identified a marked gap in the availability of resources, information and training for this growth sector. Over the past decade, fleet industry practices have developed to address some of the key safety and environmental concerns and we found that self-employed drivers needed more targeted communications on these issues and a different approach to achieve the requirements of the FORS Standard.

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