Driver training and safe driving are the cornerstones of FORS success
Training & Safe Driving guide by Rachel Pearson, Advanced FORS Practitioner, Fleetmaxx Solutions, Whitstable
As the FORS Annual Conference draws closer, I’ve been looking through the fantastic range of topics that will be discussed this year. One that really caught my attention is “Training & Safe Driving” (10:45–11:10), led by Glen Davies and Paul Smithson.
They’ll be exploring how professional development and training, can help shape a safer, more efficient fleet — and it’s a subject that couldn’t be more important for today’s fleet operators.
At Fleetmaxx Solutions, we work with hundreds of fleets across the UK, helping businesses not only reduce costs but also operate more safely and responsibly. Supported by our Transport Consultancy Service, led by Steve Hale, we can assist operators in meeting their Driver CPC training requirements and achieving compliance with confidence.
Why driver CPC training is so important
If your drivers operate lorries, buses, or coaches professionally, they must complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years to keep their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
Driving professionally without a valid Driver CPC can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, not to mention the reputational and operational risks that come with non-compliance.
Beyond the legal requirement, Driver CPC is about developing safer, more aware, and more efficient drivers — helping to reduce accidents, improve fuel economy, and protect your brand’s reputation on the road.
Supporting driver safety and compliance
At Fleetmaxx Solutions, we go beyond training — we provide the tools, technology, and support that help fleet operators build a culture of safety and compliance across every level of their business. It’s not just about meeting minimum standards; it’s about empowering your drivers and managers with the insight and confidence to operate safely, efficiently, and responsibly every day.
Here’s how we help you stay in control:
Fleetloc8 Telematics – Safer driving starts with insight
Our Fleetloc8 vehicle tracking and telematics system gives you real-time visibility of your fleet and driver behaviour. From speeding and harsh braking to excessive idling and route efficiency, Fleetloc8 delivers accurate data that helps you spot trends and tailor training where it’s needed most.
You can set up instant alerts for unsafe driving events, generate easy-to-read performance reports, and even use the built-in EcoDrive feature to measure driver efficiency and promote greener, smoother driving styles. Over time, this not only enhances safety but can also lead to lower fuel consumption, reduced wear and tear, and improved morale among your drivers who feel supported rather than scrutinised.
Licence Checking – Confidence that every driver is qualified
Our driver licence checking service ensures every driver behind the wheel is fully qualified and legally permitted to operate the vehicle assigned to them. Using a secure link to DVLA data, the system automatically checks licence validity, categories, endorsements, and penalty points at regular intervals — without the administrative burden of manual checks.
This proactive approach helps prevent costly compliance breaches and gives you the reassurance that your drivers are compliant at all times. It’s an essential part of any robust duty of care policy and a core element of FORS best practice for managing driver competence.
Daily Walkaround Compliance App – Safety from the start of every journey
Our daily walkaround compliance app is a simple but powerful digital tool that ensures every vehicle in your fleet is safe before it leaves the depot. Drivers can complete and submit their pre-use checks directly from their smartphone or tablet, including photographic evidence of any defects.
Reports are automatically logged and stored, providing a clear, auditable record for DVSA compliance and FORS accreditation. Managers can view all inspection data in one dashboard, ensuring faults are addressed promptly and no vehicle is used unsafely. It’s a seamless way to stay compliant, reduce downtime, and maintain a strong safety culture within your operation.
Real-world benefits – Safer, smarter, more sustainable fleets
When these tools work together — telematics, licence checks, daily walkarounds, and professional training — they create a complete ecosystem of safety and efficiency.
Fleet operators who adopt this integrated approach often see:
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Reduced accident rates through improved driver awareness and behaviour.
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Lower operational costs from better fuel efficiency and fewer maintenance issues.
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Improved compliance scores in audits and FORS assessments.
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Higher driver satisfaction, thanks to fair monitoring and structured feedback.
It’s a proactive way to protect your business, your people, and other road users — while demonstrating the professionalism that FORS accreditation represents.
Together, these tools help fleets operate safely, efficiently, and in line with FORS Bronze, Silver, and Gold standards.
How FORS helps fleets raise standards
As an Advanced FORS Practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) transforms the way operators manage safety and efficiency.
FORS is a voluntary national accreditation scheme that promotes best practice across safety, efficiency, and environmental performance. It helps businesses of all sizes reduce work-related road risk (WRRR), improve fuel efficiency, and demonstrate a professional standard to customers and contractors alike.
For many organisations, achieving FORS isn’t just about compliance — it’s about growth. Increasingly, major companies require FORS accreditation from their suppliers and contractors as part of their procurement process. Holding Bronze, Silver, or Gold accreditation shows your business is serious about safety, sustainability, and professionalism.
Making FORS simple with our Transport Consultancy
The FORS Standard can seem daunting at first — the language, the documentation, the audits. That’s where we come in.
Our Transport Consultancy Service, led by Steve Hale, takes the complexity out of the process. We simplify the terminology, provide all the necessary policies, procedures, and risk assessments, and guide you step-by-step through your audit.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or aiming for FORS Gold, we tailor everything to your business. Prices are completely bespoke, depending on your fleet size, vehicle types, and operational needs.
We pride ourselves on making the difficult feel easy, helping operators nationwide achieve and maintain the highest standards in safety, efficiency, and compliance.
See you at the FORS Conference 2025
If you’re attending the FORS Conference 2025, please stop by our stand — we’d love to meet you. I’ll be there with the Fleetmaxx Solutions team, along with Steve Hale from our Transport Consultancy partners and Steve Hall from Shell.
Together, we’ll be ready to talk about how we can support your business in becoming safer, more compliant, and more cost-efficient.
I’m looking forward to catching up with familiar faces — and meeting new ones. Let’s share ideas, tackle challenges, and keep driving the industry forward, safely.
📞 To find out more before the event, or if you can’t make it on the day, please contact our team on 01227 936853.
FORS Conference 2025 full agenda
🔹 Opening Remarks & FORS Update (10:00 – 10:20)
Andy Salter and Geraint Davies will set the tone with key updates from FORS – always useful context for operators planning ahead.
🔹 Keynote from Kevin Rooney, Senior Traffic Commissioner (10:20 – 10:45)
Kevin will be sharing his perspective on ‘Compliance for tomorrow’s fleet’ – an increasingly important subject as regulations evolve.
🔹 Training & Safe Driving (10:45 – 11:10)
Glen Davies and Paul Smithson will explore how professional development and training (including through Protea) can shape a safer, more efficient fleet.
🔹 FORS Inaugural Operator Awards (12:00 – 12:15)
It’s fantastic to see outstanding operators getting recognition. I’ll be cheering you on from the exhibition hall!
🔹 Road Safety & Risk Management (12:15 – 12:55)
This includes both a talk from Brake – the road safety charity, and a panel discussion featuring DEKRA, Driving for Better Business, and Tarmac. Real insights from the frontline of risk.
🔹 Mental Health & Well-being (12:55 – 13:15)
An often-overlooked but critical part of running a responsible operation – I’m glad to see Mates in Mind on the agenda again this year.
🔹 Innovation & Technology Panel (15:10 onwards)
I’m always keen to see how emerging tech from Portland Analytics, DAF Trucks and Haulage Hub is helping fleets work smarter, not harder.
