Guide to motoring: More fleet, more problems?

Behind payroll, transport is probably your second biggest business cost. And running vehicles carries responsibilities that need to be managed.

A full-time fleet manager can seem a little excessive, but on the other hand it’s too important to be handled on a job-share basis.

When it comes to prioritising all these responsibilities, fleets are so complex that they often fall down the list of a person’s list of priorities.

So what exactly is fleet management? Maintenance? Breakdowns? Accidents? Trackers? Well the answer is – yes. It’s all part of it.

And it’s about getting a framework in place that includes policies, driver management and vehicle management; making smart decisions about the right type of vehicles and funding; working out what’s involved to manage the vehicles and drivers on a day-to-day basis and defining what tools and resources you need to execute your fleet policy.

It sounds like there’s a lot to think about, and there is, but the alternative is what many SMEs are feeling right now: that feeling of the fleet being disorganised and out of control. High risks, cost leakages and drivers managing their own vehicles.

For me, it’s about using the right tool for the job. After all, we don’t know what we don’t know but that’s not a reason not to try and be proactive. Get to grips with it yourself or, if you can, consult with professionals. The great news is what happens when you start to work this way: the MD is happy, after all he or she is saving money and doesn’t have to worry about any legal repercussions. The FD is happy too; the right vehicles and funding are welcome to the finance department.