Driver management is a headache for many Transport Managers and operators.
And this is why.
On the one hand, the Traffic Commissioner requires them to actively manage drivers to ensure they comply with the regulations (driver hours, tachographs and working time) and, if they don’t, discipline and possibly dismiss them.
On the other are a lack of drivers in the marketplace making recruitment difficult (and costly), and HR Managers who fail to understand either the regulations or the regulatory power of Traffic Commissioners.
As a Transport Management Consultant I have seen both sides of the coin.
A client once called me in to adjudicate between a Transport Manager new in post and their HR function. A driver with several years’ service had an excessive infringement rate, in particular breaking both Driver Hours and working time regulations - although typically only between 5 and 10 minutes. Consequently, the Transport Manager wanted to hold formal disciplinary proceedings as the driver had not responded to previous conversations or remedial training. Despite lengthy explanations of both the regulations and regulatory requirements, the HR Manager refused to support action being taken. Their view was that it was unfair on the driver, and that regulations were complicated enough without expecting drivers to be minute perfect.
Contrast this with a comment from a Traffic Commissioner made at a Public Inquiry I attended. Following a discussion as to why a driver with a similar record had not been dismissed, the Commissioner asked, “How many times would you allow the driver to either abuse a customer or steal fuel from you?” While he was thinking of a response, she replied on his behalf stating “maybe once or twice - which is a lot less than the driver infringements you have allowed him to incur!” She later surmised that customer relations were more important to the operator than complying with regulations designed to ensure that their drivers were alert and not risking the lives of the travelling public. The Commissioner duly curtailed their licence.
As you can see, the law is clearly black and white on this matter.
TMS have a whole array of services and training courses (both toolbox talks and accredited CPC training) which provide sufficient evidence to Traffic Commissioners that drivers have been fully trained. Furthermore, we can arrange Operator Licence Awareness courses for Directors and HR Managers, and offer the services of our own HR professional to either support your HR department with specialist knowledge or manage the complete process altogether.
For more information on the support TMS can provide, please call us 01275 390001 or email admin@transportmanagersolutions.co.uk.
(image credit: hgvtraining.co.uk)
