Just how prepared is your business for Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles in your fleet?
In 2018 the UK government received temporary derogation from the EU Driving Licence Directive for five years to allow drivers possessing a Category B licence to drive an alternatively fuelled goods vehicle over 3.5tonnes but not exceeding 4.25tonnes.
An Alternatively Fuelled Vehicle refers to a motor vehicle powered by electricity, natural gas, biogas or hydrogen; or a combination of hydrogen and electricity.
This relaxation in the UK Driving Licence Directive is to avoid restricting businesses using 3.5tonnes good vehicles from adopting alternative fuelled technology and making commitments to improve the environment.
How does this affect my business?
These legislative requirements should be considered by any employer with employees who drive vehicles such as delivery vans, as well as self-employed people and those using their own vehicle for a work-related journey.
Holders of a Category B driving licence wanting to drive an alternatively fuelled goods vehicle not exceeding a Maximum Gross Weight (MGW) of 4.25tonnes for the carriage of goods, must complete a five-hour mandatory course.
This five-hour course must be delivered by an approved trainer registered with either one of the two UK training registers; the National Register of LGV instructors; or the National Vocational Driving Instructors Register.
It is a legal requirement for drivers to register and complete a five-hour training course and receive a certificate to be legally eligible to drive any 4.5tonnes Alternatively Fuelled Vehicle.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
How do I know whether my vehicle applies to this requirement?
To check whether a vehicle qualifies as an Alternatively Fuelled Vehicle, the Government’s Co2 and Vehicle Tax Tool can be found online using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/co2-and-vehicle-tax-tools
This useful online tool allows drivers and Fleet Managers to find fuel consumption, CO2 and other emissions, by vehicle make and model.
What does the course entail?
TTC’s Alternatively Fuelled Vehicle (AFV) course comprises a five-hour workshop either delivered in class or through an online virtual classroom platform (due to Covid) to a maximum of 20 drivers or 15 drivers respectively (for online virtual classroom).
The course content follows the approved Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) syllabus, designed to develop drivers in the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to be a safe and responsible driver of an AFV.
The course is delivered in three modules:
Module One: Preparing the alternatively fuelled vehicle and its contents for daily use.
Module Two: Drive the alternatively fuelled vehicle in accordance with the Highway Code & legislation.
Module Three: Drive safely & efficiently.
When drivers have completed all three units, they will:
be able to understand when outside factors can affect their competence at driving for work. Drivers will also understand the potential impact on corporate responsibility, and make suitable decisions based on that understanding
understand and act on their responsibility to make sure that they and their alternatively fuelled vehicle is legal
be able to control the risks associated with carrying loads
be able to plan a journey suitable for an AFV
be able to know and understand the various fuel types of an AFV and how to refuel safely and responsibly
be able to understand what to do if an AFV is involved in a crash or an emergency and how to control any risks associated with an AFV.
Following completion of the mandatory workshop and registration with the appropriate body so they are legally licenced to drive, a one hour 1:1 on road driver coaching session focusing on vehicle handling.
The coaching session will be client centred and inter-connecting the theory content and putting things into context. At the end of the coaching session the driver will be able to demonstrate competent use of the vehicle handling characteristics.
Contact TTC Group to discuss your requirements
Whether your business already operates Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles within your fleet, or are considering making the transition to AFVs in the near future, TTC Group is here to help and advise you, as well as support your with your training requirements.
Contact us today on 03330 113 113 or visit www.thettcgroup.com to find out more and discuss your requirements with the nation’s largest online road safety training provider.
