30/ Driver Training

PURPOSE

This policy outlines the mandatory training requirements and procedures for employees to drive a company vehicle.  This training provision supports our commitment to safety, quality, and our duty of care to employees, customers, and the public.

This policy does not guarantee the driver being provided with a company van, or to drive a van on a regular basis. 

DRIVING LICENCE – MANUAL  

A manual driving licence is required to drive a 3.5-tonne van.  Employees who have a driving licence for an automatic car cannot drive a manual vehicle unless they upgrade at their own expense in accordance with government guidelines, ref www.gov.uk. 

SCOPE

This policy applies to:

●        newly qualified drivers (less than 3 months’ driving experience)

●        inexperienced drivers (those who have not driven a 3.5-tonne Reprotec UK van before)

●        those who have not driven a Reprotec UK 3.5-tonne van for 12 months and require a revision course

●        those who have upgraded from an automatic to a manual driving licence

●        newly appointed staff to the Operations Team

DEFINITIONS

Newly Qualified Driver: An employee with less than 3 months’ possession of a full driving licence.

Inexperienced Driver: An employee who may not have driven a 3.5-tonne van before, or an employee who has not driven such a van for a year. 

Driver Training: A training programme with an independent driver training agency. 

POLICY STATEMENT

This policy ensures:

●        The safety of all employees, customers, and the public.

●        Compliance with road traffic legislation and internal safety procedures.

●        Maintenance of our high service quality and reputation.

Reprotec UK will adhere to any recommendations provided by the driver training agency. 

If any concerns are raised by the driver training agency about an employee’s performance while driving a 3.5-tonne van, Reprotec UK reserves the right to withdraw the employee from further training and to bar them from driving a company vehicle until they have gained additional road experience in a non-work vehicle. After six months, the employee may reapply for training.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Failure to comply will result in the driver being restricted from operating company vehicles. 

DRIVER TRAINING AGENCY

The duty of the driver-training agency is to provide:

●        Instructor-led commentary training session

●        Tailored coaching and written performance review

●        Risk rating and development plan for ongoing improvement.

EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

●        Attend the scheduled driver training.

●        Should the employee need to cancel the arranged driver training session unless on the grounds of illness, they are required to give notice of this within 48 hours prior to the session.  

●        To sign a prior training agreement that outlines the cost of the training session, and which states that should the employee not turn up for the driver training session, then Reprotec UK has the right to charge the employee the full cost of the session unless there are mitigating circumstances.  

●        Demonstrate safe driving behaviour at all times.

●        Notify the supervisor or management of any issues regarding their driver training. 

DUTY OF CARE

Reprotec UK has a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure:

●        Drivers demonstrate competence and confidence in driving a 3.5-tonne van before being entrusted with this responsibility.

●        The safety of all road users.

●        The physical and psychological safety of staff members who may travel with newly qualified or inexperienced drivers.

●        Protection of customer property and public infrastructure in a member of staff driving a company van.

DRIVING LICENCE DOCUMENTATION AND RECORDS

●        The driver must present their driving licence to management in the first instance for verification.

●        Driver training records will be maintained in the employee’s personnel file.

●        All company van drivers are subject to annual Driving Licence Checks. 

LINKED POLICIES

●        Driving on Company Business Code of Conduct