The Express Manager degree apprentices are in the middle of their first year on the levy paid degree at University of West London. They continue to work in the depot environment and for Sept during the on-line period at UWL the candidates are working on the compliance module in transport. Presently focused on operator licence in trunking networks to final mile to depots and stations. Dr Tracey Worth invited O-Licence expert, Allison Kemp, livery of the Carmen and boss at AIM in middle England transport hot spot, Derbyshire spoke passionately on transport compliance and impact in final mile express delivery.
Allison was on line for the virtual lecture to talk shop on management CPC to students from across the country. Implications and impact of regulations in transport were at the heart of the shop talk for legal drivers. The highly informative event finished with a tutorial on e-learning appropriateness for driver CPC.
Allison Kemp - ‘My passion is to make us all as legal as possible on the road.’ ‘You need to use a suite of tools to help legal compliance.’ ‘I believe training in our sector is key and its great to see the candidates on-line here working towards level six degree standards.’
Starting with an O licence application Allison spoke about procedures for driver licence checks, safe systems of work. We also provide tools for FORS and look at DVSA earned recognition options. Tachograph compliance is a service we offer to review data, working with transport managers, de-briefing, compliance on breaks, locations, right time and right place. Tacho analysis is also part of the earned recognition. We deliver Transport Manager CPC with a seventy per-cent first time pass rate. Further we do extensive driver CPC delivery, I believe module choice is key to success on the driver delivery.
‘There is no reason a transport manger should not be compliant.’ DVSA earned recognition and FORS are all keeping you in line with compliance towards O licence. Allison spoke red amber green audits, annual or bi-annual. ‘Earned recognition sits in what you consider a platinum band. FORS includes safe urban driver training, I believe the cycle awareness training is a good thing, awareness of road space and movement on two wheels is good.
‘The transport manager should always be ready with a diary of proof of checks, be ready to signpost your procedures and detail the organisation hierarchy, who does what, where and when.’
Walk round checks. Drivers should not miss anything, electronic walk round checks are good, we tailor the check to the trailer, and add a photo take to be sure the driver is capturing the vehicle detail. Phone, pda, lap top all good systems. The photo can also be matched to a location check. If a cracked windscreen is spotted the data can go direct to the workshop. If a tyre is at limit the electronic walk round can trigger a manager posting when the vehicle needs to be parked. The electronic check can signpost the garage to get the parts in ready for vehicle maintenance when the there is a return to depot. Electronic is transparent and welcomed by the Traffic Commissioner.
Allison spoke driver licence checks, on line. What period to re-check against how many points are on the licence. And a double check back against DCPC. We have seen licences come back missing existing categories.
Taking a look at maintenance checks and rolling plan, ‘Your planning system must look at a minimum of six months rolling. Allison spoke electronic maintenance plan as opposed to a wall document. The year must be rolling, do not use a Jan to Dec planner, you need a rolling six month system. Its important to catch repair alongside defect in the garage calendar.
Expanding the keynote to ADR and Dangerous Goods. Level 4 DVSA Dangerous goods advisor, a good example of application is where a fuel bowser is being moved around the depot.
e-learning or classroom for DCPC? the discussion group tutorial was interactive in its feedback to Allison.. Candidates opinions on driver e-learning varied.
Classroom for DCPC is the best.
Timeframe is the key impact – short on line is good.
e-learning interaction is dependant on the candidate.
Face to face is best step forward for longer courses.
Mandatory is a further impact on engagement variation between face to face balance to e-learning.
To finish a look into the future.
Five hour awareness for EV commercial.
‘Five hours awareness training for electric.’ Allison concluded, ‘we are making it harder for EV drivers.’ People want greener fleet but its hard to find this training.
Van driver hours?
When Europe changed, the focus came to England, my crystal ball says there will be driver hour regulation for vans in the next ten years.
