One alternative to a company car scheme is not to offer any kind
of a scheme at all. If employees need to drive on business, they
may use their own vehicle – the so-called “grey fleet”. In the
past, many companies have sidestepped the complicated
administration surrounding the managing of a company car fleet by
relying on employees using their own vehicles as and when
necessary, although this practice has lately come under increasing
scrutiny thanks to concerns over corporate manslaughter, duty of
care and health and safety of company drivers. If an employee uses
a faulty, badly-maintained vehicle, and the driver is subsequently
involved in an accident while driving for work purposes, the
company can, under recent legislation, be found at fault. Driving
licence and MOT checking are also strongly encouraged for companies
which allow their staff to use their own vehicles while at
work.
However, the level of scrutiny required to manage a company’s
grey fleet successfully can be a real burden – especially if a
business does not have a dedicated fleet manager. Some fleet
providers have spotted a gap in the market providing companies with
an easy way to manage grey fleet vehicles and drivers, using their
expertise in the field.
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For example, Inchcape Fleet Solutions (IFS) has launched “Grey
Matters”, a way for employers to minimise the risk associated with
the grey fleet by proving that they comply fully with legislation
covering at-work driving. Businesses using the Grey Matters product
receive driver risk assessments, MOT, service and business
insurance checks, driving licence checks, and a company audit “to
highlight potential remedial solutions”. Management reports are
provided via email, post or a dedicated web portal, and employees
are emailed reminders about provision of the necessary documents,
providing companies with a comprehensive audit trail.
IFS’ managing director Terry Bartlett says that Grey Matters
“enables our customers to comply with all legislation relating to
at-work drivers. Reports provided are proof of a competent and
responsible corporate attitude towards ‘grey fleet’ drivers and any
areas of weakness will be highlighted immediately and can then be
eradicated with the implementation of a comprehensive training
programme.”
Motor Finance Issue: 44 – June 08
Published for the web: June 26 08 14:17
Last Updated: June 26 08 14:18
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