Van Best Practice programme launches new guide

The Department for Transport’s Van Best Practice programme, which helps van users to cut running costs, improve safety and reduce environmental impact, will be launching a new guide at next month’s Commercial Vehicle Operator Show taking place in the NEC, Birmingham.

The Van Specification guide will provide van users with information on how to select the right van to undertake work efficiently and safely.

Experts from the programme are calling on van users to visit the stand to learn how to reduce the cost and environmental impact of van use.

Van Best Practice Programme manager Larry Martindale said: “Through the Van Best Practice programme we aim to raise awareness of the best practice guidance available to the van sector, helping businesses to improve their safety and operational efficiency while informing them of the financial and environmental benefits of implementing this advice.”

For example, the programme’s ‘Efficient Vans’ guide provides practical advice on reviewing existing practices, reducing running costs and introducing improvement measures. While the ‘Safe Vans’ guide covers topics such as speed, journey planning, vehicle maintenance, monitoring and recording incidents, safe driving policies and driver safety training.

Two supporting packs, the ‘Fuel Management Pack’ which outlines a step-by-step guide to managing fuel use, and the ‘Driver Essentials Pack’ which includes top tip cards on subjects such as van speed limits, driving hours and vehicle checks, have also been published.

The Van Best Practice programme is funded by the DfT and managed by climate change consultants AEA