Freight Transport Association has launched the Van Excellence Certificate of Driver Competence after recognising the need for van driver qualifications.

The project has been created in conjunction with the FTA Van Excellence scheme to meet the demand from operators who want to demonstrate how professional their drivers are, and how seriously they take their responsibilities in the work that they do.

For operators, the scheme will provide validation to the role of a van driver as well as demonstrating, encouraging and creating a route for employee development.

Mark Cartwright, FTA head of vans, said: “This project really underlines the strength of Van Excellence.

"Accredited operators of the scheme very often share best practice, and the need for a nationally-recognised van driver standard was identified from this.

"Operators want to demonstrate that their drivers are professional and take their duties seriously. They’ve worked closely with us to develop the course and the qualification process.”

As part of the Van Excellence Certificate of Driver Competence, the FTA will offer two elements:

  • Training: FTA will provide in-house van driver competence training, and ‘train-the-trainer’ using the Community Driver CPC model.Users will be able to access computer-based training.
  • Assessment: Van drivers can be put through assessments at recognised centres. Operators will be offered the chance to become recognised as assessment centres, and FTA will also be able to provide assessment centres.