Licence checking part of Severn Trent risk management strategy

A licence checking service provided by Licence Bureau is now a key part of Severn Trent Water’s 'proactive' risk management and compliance strategy.

Severn Trent Water runs a fleet of 2,200 cars, vans and trucks across 500 key sites and employs 4,500 separate drivers who drive approximately 57 million miles each year.

The company uses Licence Bureau’s online licence checking service to primarily ensure drivers hold a full and valid licence and have the correct entitlement for the vehicle driven, and so far 4,500 drivers registered on the system.

Severn Trent Water launched its Driver Safety Programme in 2012 following internal communication and awareness programmes. It partnered with Licence Bureau across June and July 2013 and ran a series of roadshows designed to take the programme to more remotes part of Severn Trent’s geographical coverage.  This initiative helped drive compliance up to the 98% it is today.

The high compliance level helps contribute to a robust risk management and compliance system with strong processes and an audit trail, says Severn Trent.

“With so many drivers spread across so many different sites running a very diverse fleet of cars, vans and trucks up to 44 tonnes GVW, we need 'real time' licence data to hand to help us proactively manage our drivers and vehicles,” said Michelle Keeble, driving safety coordinator.

“Our approach is all about looking after our employees and working with them to ensure they are trained and legally able to drive the vehicles we give them to carry out their job each day.

"If there is an issue with a revoked licence for instance the driver’s manager would proactively take responsibility for this and work with the driver until it is resolved.

“We adopt a top down approach to risk management and duty of care, which includes licence checking. It has helped contribute to the very effective running of a major fleet operation,” she added.

Severn Trent Water’s overall approval to compliance and risk management is one that other fleets could learn from according to Malcolm Maycock, Licence Bureau’s managing director.

“The proactive approach to managing drivers and vehicles is excellent and the processes in place mean that the fleet department is always set up to achieve as near to 100% driver and vehicle compliance at all times,” he said.