There are more than 3.6 million vans used for business across the UK.
The police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have the power to carry out spot checks on your vehicles and issue prohibitions if necessary. A prohibition prevents your drivers from driving until you get a problem with your vehicle fixed.
As part of targeted roadside checks, DVSA stops around 15,600 vans each year. DVSA estimates that being stopped can cost owners and operators up to £4,000 per day, per vehicle.
Operating a fleet of vans: the basics
Vans are sometimes called:
- ‘light goods vehicles’ (LGVs) in the UK – not to be confused with ‘large goods vehicles’ which are over 3,500kg
- ‘light commercial vehicles’ (LCVs) across the rest of the EU
Being a goods vehicle operator
You need a goods vehicle operator’s licence if your business uses vans above a certain weight.
You need a licence to carry goods in a van with either:
- a design gross weight (the maximum weight your vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded) of over 3,500 kilograms (kg)
- an unladen weight of more than 1,525 kg (where there’s no plated weight)
Find out more about being a goods vehicle operator.
Vehicle tax and condition
All vehicles that you use should be correctly taxed and kept safe and in good condition at all times.
Vans that need an MOT
Vans with a design gross weight of up to 3,500kg need an MOT every year when they reach 3 years old.
For the MOT, your van will be classed as either:
- class 4 – goods vehicles up to 3,000kg design gross weight (this include car-type vans)
- class 7 – goods vehicles over 3,000kg up to 3,500kg design gross weight
Find out more about getting an MOT.
Vans that need a goods vehicle annual test
Vans with a design gross weight of over 3,500kg need a goods vehicle annual test each year.
The first test should be 12 months after the van was first registered with DVLA.
Find out more about getting an annual test.
Drivers you use or employ
You must make sure that any drivers you use or employ have the correct licence and training.
As an employer, you must:
- monitor your mobile workers’ working time
- make sure they don’t go over the limit
- record working time and keep the records for at least 2 years
DVSA encourages all van drivers to take a 45-minute rest for every 4.5 hours of driving. This is in line with EU drivers’ hours rules.
Tachographs record information about driving time, speed and distance. They are used to make sure drivers and employers follow the rules on drivers’ hours.
Your drivers can read a guide about the basics of driving a van for more information on:
- who can drive what types of van
- the rules on speed limits
- weight limits and loading
- drivers’ hours
- maintenance
Find out more about employing people to drive, drivers’ hours and tachographs by visiting the relevant sections within this site.
Loading your vans
You must not overload your vans. They have a ‘design gross weight’. This is the maximum weight your van can weigh when it is loaded. It has sometimes called the ‘gross vehicle weight’ or ‘laden weight’.
This weight limit is on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate in your van.
The design gross weight is the total combined weight of:
- vehicle
- driver (and any passengers)
- fuel
- the load and anything the van is carrying
Operator checklist
Use this checklist to help make your van fleet roadworthy and compliant.
Check and repair your vans
You should:
- carry out daily walk around checks before using your vans and record any defects
- fix any major defects before your vans are sent out
- keep a record of your van repairs
Maintain your vans
You should:
- service your vehicles to at least the minimum standard in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines
- get qualified people to frequently check safety critical components like brakes if your vans are subject to demanding work
- make sure your vans are always insured, taxed and MOT’d and document this process
- Keep records
You should keep records of the following for at least 15 months as part of an effective maintenance system:
- defects
- maintenance
- repairs
- servicing
Use suitable vans
You should:
- use the right vans with the right size, load capability and equipment for the job
- not load vans beyond their design gross weight
- maintain fitted specialist equipment like tail lifts and tow bars
Manage risks and costs
You should:
- fit a 70 miles per hour (mph) limiter on vans used on the motorway – most vans use 25% more fuel at 80 mph than at 70 mph
- fit parking sensors to protect pedestrians, employees and your vans in crowded urban areas
Check your drivers’ licences and ID
You should:
- know who is driving your vans for work by requesting references from their previous employers
- take more than one form of ID from drivers and cross-check them with their driving licence details
- make sure you follow the same ID process for agency drivers – you’re responsible for them when they’re driving your vans
- check all your drivers have a valid driving licence for driving your vans – keep copies on file
- check driving licence details regularly – especially for drivers with 6 points or more
Check and improve your drivers’ ability
You should:
- assess all newly qualified and newly employed drivers to make sure they’re capable of driving your vans
- provide extra driver training so they can safely handle larger non-car based vans
- record assessments and training to show you’ve addressed any driver-related risks
- regularly check your drivers are fit to drive and make sure they’re free from the adverse effects of alcohol and drugs
- ask your drivers to make a written statement declaring they’re entitled to drive and have no driving-related health issues
- carry out regular eyesight checks for your drivers to make sure they have no visual impairments which could affect their driving over time
- log and analyse all driver incidents including any disciplinary action or training
Check your drivers know the rules
You should make sure your drivers fully understand the rules they have to follow, including:
- Drivers’ Hours Rules
- Working Time Directive
- Speed Limits
- mobile phone use
- Vehicle loading and towing
Click here to download the Driving for Better Business – Van Driver Toolkit
Source – DVSA
