What a Fleet Manager Needs to Be Aware Of
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0345 224 5329Fleet managers are usually required to wear many hats on top of having the experience and skills to cope with their main priorities. Listed below are some of the main issues and problems that fleet managers need to be aware of.
What is a fleet manager responsible for?
A fleet manager is responsible for the management and coordination of a company’s fleet of vehicles. Their main roles involve ensuring the fleet is operating efficiently, safely and in a cost effective manner.
In recent years, fleet managers have also become increasingly responsible for technological advancements and regulatory changes, such as those surrounding electric vehicles and telematics.
What are the main priorities in fleet management?
There are a number of different priorities in fleet management, however, some of the main priorities include:
- Maintenance – Regular maintenance is essential for ensuring your fleet is in optimal condition. Maintenance tasks involve checking each vehicle is up to date with MOTs and services; however, with a large fleet, this can be time consuming and easy to lose track of. By keeping track of the maintenance of their vehicles, fleet managers can ensure that their cars and vans are receiving timely services and inspections. Utilising fleet management software makes it easy for fleet managers to keep track of maintenance history, helping to save time while also minimising the risk of vehicles being on the road without an up to date MOT.
- Compliance – Fleet managers can maintain the integrity of their fleet and ensure safety standards are always met by keeping up with compliance regulations. This includes staying up-to-date with changing industry regulations, environmental standards and safety guidelines. By maintaining regulatory compliance, fleet managers can avoid penalties such as fines and suspensions.
- Managing costs- Having a fleet of vehicles can be extremely costly, especially if they are insured under separate policies. Fleet managers can cut down costs by implementing comprehensive fleet insurance policies that cover all of their vehicles. Not only does the policy help businesses to save money, but it also gives full flexibility and control when it comes to ensuring vehicles. While the cost of fleet insurance will vary depending on various different factors, comprehensive policies are usually cheaper than individual insurance policies.
- Driver management – Managing your drivers is an aspect of fleet management that focuses on ensuring drivers are meeting certain standards. Fleet managers are responsible for hiring responsible drivers and providing comprehensive training programs to enhance their knowledge. Effectively managing your drivers not only promotes safe driving standards, but it can also reduce the risk of accidents and improve your fleet’s overall efficiency.
- Technology and data management – Technology and data play a vital role in business fleets and they contribute massively to informed decision making. The integration of advanced technology and fleet data has revolutionised the way fleets operate, allowing business owners to improve their operations and find potential flaws.
What a fleet manager needs to be aware of
Fleet managers are usually required to wear many hats on top of having the experience and skills to cope with their main priorities. Listed below are some of the main issues and problems that fleet managers need to be aware of.
Fuel consumption
One of the biggest challenges that a fleet manager should be aware of is the consumption of fuel. Inefficient or incorrect tracking of mileage can result in inaccurate predictions of fuel consumption, resulting in an increase in costs.
Utilising telematics can help to resolve this issue, as well as encouraging drivers to drive in the most economical way, such as braking smoother.
Increased costs
Tying into managing costs, fleet managers need to be aware of industry changes and how this can affect elements of their business such as insurance costs. Renewing vehicles individually can be extremely expensive and it can result in businesses seeing their outgoing sky-rocket.
Choosing a comprehensive fleet insurance policy can help businesses to keep costs relating to their fleet low, allowing more money to be allocated to other important issues.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is an important element of fleet management that is often overlooked. Fleet managers should be aware of how to evaluate digital data, especially when it comes to sharing information with stakeholders or other third parties.
Keeping data private and secure is essential for preventing a cyber attack from occurring.
Vehicle standards
Fleet managers who have multiple different types of vehicles under one fleet policy should be aware of the different standards that come with the vehicles. For example, managers should have a comprehensive list of which of their drivers are able to drive or operate specific vehicles or pieces of machinery.
Keeping on top of these standards and staying compliant with the law is essential for ensuring your business is operating legally, while also keeping your team safe.
The challenges facing fleet managers
There are many challenges that fleet managers face, some of the most common issues include:
- Vehicle acquisition
- Fuel wastage
- Increased costs
- Vehicle maintenance
- Health and safety
- Administration and data handling
- Regulatory compliance
- …and many more
The challenges fleet managers can face will vary between different industries, however, it’s fair to say a lot of businesses will feel the impact from one of the issues listed above.
As we’ve mentioned, one of the ways you can help with a few of these challenges is by investing in fleet insurance. Whether you have a fleet of HGVs or taxis, at FleetCover we’re here to help. Get in touch with us today to find out more on how a fleet insurance policy could help your business.