The team is led by a principal engineer, fleet operations manager and fleet commercial manager supported by technical and administrative teams who procure, maintain, and dispose of our fleet vehicles.
In addition to fleet, the team lead the management of our operators licence with the head of fleet services being the named transport manager, and as such, qualified to provide support and guidance on policies and procedures for drivers and managers.
Managers and drivers of vehicles used on council business must ensure that they are aware of the policies and procedures that must be adhered to when driving vehicles in the following 3 categories:
- fleet vehicles
- externally hired vehicles
- grey fleet vehicles - own vehicle used for our business
Drivers and managers of drivers should ensure that following 8 key procedures are adhered to when driving a vehicle on our business.
Detailed information on the 8 key procedures are available as transport briefing notes, policies or forms on EDRM or additional advice, support and / or training can be given or arranged, email county.transport@derbyshire.gov.uk.
Additionally, information is also available on drivers permits, minibus operations, hiring of vehicles, no smoking policy and use of telephones.
Driving licence
Legally, all drivers should hold the correct category on a valid licence for the vehicle that they are driving or may need to drive, this check should form as part of the induction process and then annually by their manager.
Daily walk-around checks of vehicles
All core fleet vehicles owned by us must have a check of the vehicle before use and recorded in the book in the vehicle, any defects found should also be recorded and noted to their manager and/or county transport to arrange repair.
No vehicle should be used on the road with a known defect unless authorised by county transport where it is deemed permissible to drive to a workshop for repair.
Drivers hours
Where drivers carry out driving duties in a vehicle that is over 3,500kg GVW or a combination of a vehicle and towed plant that is over 3,500kg gross vehicle weight, there is a legal requirement of our operators licence to record the hours driven daily.
These hours if considered in scope of GB Domestic Hours regulations must be recorded in a W20 book which can be supplied by county transport.
Secure loads of vehicles
It's a legal requirement for drivers of vehicles to ensure that any load they carry is safe, secure and does not present an overload of the axles or GVW of the vehicle or any danger to other road users. This applies to all vehicles and not just commercial vehicles.
Suitable load restraints such as straps and chains should only be used, the use of bungee straps is not permitted.
Driving standards
All drivers must at all times ensure that vehicles are driven with consideration to other road users, within authorised speed limits and economically to ensure maximum fuel efficiency is achieved, this includes excessive idling.
Vehicle use
Our vehicles and externally hired vehicles must only be used on our business and not for private use.
It is permissible with line manager approval to use a vehicle for a private matter on the way to or from work where it is on route, or in the event of an emergency where sufficient time is not achievable to travel back home.
Telematics
All fleet vehicles are fitted with telematics. Under the Vehicle Management Policy (VMS) all drivers should have an allocated driver's fob to enable driver log in to a vehicle. This gives sight of location of the vehicle, name of the driver, driver's manager details and facilitates the driver panic function.
Policies
Drivers and managers should be aware of the 3 key policies that aid in complaint, safe and legal operation of vehicles, these are:
- transport code of practice
- the management of operational road risk
- the vehicle management system
Our fleet
Our fleet is very diverse with around 550 fleet vehicles and plant. It includes electric, diesel, and petrol vehicles, all fitted with Telematics as standard, this is known as the Vehicle Management System (VMS).
VMS incorporates driver ID, sat nav, forward facing dash cameras, GPS and panic alarms, additionally reports are available to detail utilisation, CO2 emissions, driving standards, location and video footage to aid in the event of an accident or complaint.
The fleet varies in type:
- cars
- 4x4
- light commercial vans
- HGV tippers and cranes
- street lighting platforms
- gritting vehicles including lightweight towed gritting machinery
- accessible minibuses
- tractors
- trailers
- plant
Additionally, county transport provides an external repair service to the public and employees where MOT, servicing and repairs can be undertaken. View MOT tests in Derbyshire.