Professional bus drivers provide a huge service to the community by providing public transportation to and from the many destinations on their route.  If you are a people-person and enjoy driving – especially on a tour with the chance to see new places – then you may be interested in getting a driver’s license with the professional passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) driver specification. 

Regardless of whether you are driving a tour bus, a taxi cab, or limousine, your customer’s comfort will always come first.  You also have to be very up to date on your vehicle and ensure that it is in the best shape possible to traverse the many roads you will travel on.  You never want to risk the safety or lives of your passengers or yourself.  Before embarking on any trip, always make sure your tires are properly inflated and in good shape, that the engine has all the appropriate level of fluids in it, and that all of the lights, windshield wipers, and horn work.

While you may get a bit of abuse about running late due to traffic if you are a bus driver, remind yourself that traffic conditions are beyond your control and that this is not your fault.  Always smile pleasantly at your customers and have patience.  A lot of elderly people use the bus and they do not move quite as fast as some others.  Always follow your company’s rules and regulations and if a passenger becomes unruly to the point that they could be dangerous, ask them to leave the bus as soon as possible.

One of the most important documents a person can possess is their driver’s license.  It not only serves as a representation of your authority to operate a motor vehicle, it also serves as a photo identification to prove that you are who you say you are.  Photocard driver licenses include your photograph, which is updated every ten years, what type of vehicle you are licensed to drive, your name and address, and a number that has been assigned specifically to you.  An additional paper counterpart to the photocard license lists any endorsements or penalties you may have.

If you are interested in obtaining your provisional driver’s license and you have never had one, you can apply for it at your local post office.  The cost is £45. 00 and if you are from overseas, you will need to present your passport to the clerk so that they can verify your identity.  If you are a current resident of the country and are applying for your license, you will be required to attend and pass both classroom and practical driving classes before you will be issued your full license after passing a test.

Some people may need to renew their driver’s license even before the ten-year mark because of medical conditions.  Once you reach the age of seventy, you are required to renew it every three years.  Commercial drivers may need to renew their licenses at more frequent intervals because of the special nature of the vehicles they operate.  If you have a change of address, there is a way to notify the licensing bureau and having it updated by mailing in the information.  Your post office carries all of the booklets and forms necessary for you to get and obtain your driver’s license.

It has never been more important than now to ensure that all employees within a company who has either, access to, or drives company vehicles are full trained and aware of the legislation now in place that affects them and their employers. This also includes those drivers who use their own vehicles for company use, either as part of the job, or on a temporary basis.

The consequences for the company can be very serious in the event that the employee is involved in an accident, or the vehicle is defective, or not correctly insured. At Bill Plant Fleetcraft Ltd., as one of the UK’s leading Occupational Road Risk Management and Driver Training specialists, we provide an extensive range of services delivering measurable and tangible results, not only in the field of Occupational Road Risk Management and Consultancy but also driver training to a very high standard. The results include reduced accident rates and improved fuel economy as well as lower fleet operating costs. Contact us, the Corporate Manslaughter Bill became law on the 6th April 2008!

As a car or commercial vehicle driver, or someone who is taking driving lessons, we have to be particularly aware the there are other road users, those of the two wheeled variety the biker. Cycling and motor cycling have seen a recent revival due to more predictable journey times and better fuel consumption, especially in urban areas.

Drivers of cars and commercial vehicles have to pay particular attention to these other road users, who for various reasons fail to see the motorcycle coming towards them. Often the car driver looks but fails to see the biker, particularly acute at junctions and that is why it is the subject of an advertising campaign. “Sorry mate I didn’t see you” is for too many bikers the last words they hear before they are put in the ambulance. Pay particular attention to your nearside mirror do not compromise the safety of the cyclist on your near side.

If you are a fleet driver for a company, you may have already taken an approved advanced motoring course.  If not, the course will teach you how to drive better through planning and the efficient use of the road to ensure safety as you travel.  The course builds upon your current driving skills and helps you prepare a driving plan to follow.  It will help you build confidence, improve your awareness of the road, and make driving more enjoyable as you improve both your performance and efficiency.

By managing your road space, you are setting clear lines for yourself regarding how far behind another person you are driving, whether you are following the speed limits, and if you can properly anticipate the need for a quick and sudden stop.  You will also be watching out for unexpected things other than a stopped car ahead of you, such as animals and children running into the road, or debris from a blown lorry tire or other vehicle.  If you need to swerve to avoid hitting these things, then you need to be able to better manage your road space.  Sometimes an accident can be avoided by simply swerving out of the way.  Also the use of the horn and headlights to make your presence known to avoid a collision is acceptable.

It is worth reminding anyone who is connected with a company, which has vehicles and drivers, that they are now subject to the Corporate Manslaughter Bill which became law on the 6th April 2008. Fleet operators and others, if they have not already done so, should familiarise themselves will the risks associated when operating vehicles as part of their business.

Bill Plant, which is one of the UK’s leading Occupational Road Risk Management and Driver Training specialists, can provide up to the minute training and advice on the risks that are involved, not only in the field of Occupational Road Risk Management and Consultancy but also driver training to a very high standard. By taking part in this Fleetcraft Training, your company will see lower fleet operating costs, a reduction in accident rates as well as improved fuel economy. Reduce your costs and road risk by contacting us now, for your Corporate Driver Training.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 employers have a statutory duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees at work and this also includes any driving activity on the road.  The act does not just include the employees, but also the place of work and as a fleet driver this means the motor vehicle, which is their place of work.

Bill Plant School of Motoring offers Driver Training for businesses of all sizes in the UK which will identify the current risk that an employee might pose on the road. Following this initial assessment they will be coached to reduce identified risks and trained to anticipate to hazards, and develop their driving skills. A written report outlining the employees driving standards is sent, to keep with the employees driving records. Make your work place a safer place.

If you are already thinking of becoming a driving instructor there is no better time than now to put this into practice. Bill Plant is offering a free fleet driver training course worth over £1000.  Just think of the advantages of becoming a fleet driver training instructor. Currently, less than 5% of driving instructors in the UK have this qualification. You can be confident with Bill Plant that the driver training received will be of the highest quality. In order to qualify for the free fleet driver training course you should have already completed parts 1,2 and 3 of the advanced driving instructor training with the Bill Plant Driving School and be with the Bill Plant Driving Instructor Franchise programme.

There is even more reason to sign up with Bill Plant and become a driving instructor as we’re now offering a free corporate / fleet driver training course worth over £1000.

To qualify for the free fleet trainer’s course, you need to have successfully completed parts 1, 2 & 3 of the ADI training with the Bill Plant Instructor School, and also to have taken on the Bill Plant driving instructor franchise.

As a fleet instructor, you will be involved with going into companies and representing Bill Plant Fleetcraft. This means you will be taking company vehicle drivers, ranging from the MD of multi site companies to the person driving the delivery vehicles or staff transport. The job is to ensure that they are able to drive as safely as possible and that they have fulfilled the legal training requirements. This may also involve SAFED training, which is for safe and fuel efficient driving, meaning that companies can save substantial amounts on their annual fuel bills and drastically reduce accident rates.

The beauty of being a fleet trainer, is that currently less than 5% of the instructors in the UK have this qualification, and whilst it dovetails nicely with instructing learners, it allows you teach on a different level and have additional qualifications.

It’s a frightening fact but more people are killed when at work each year than in the wars. The UK have gone to great lengths to do something about this problem which is why the law has responded with the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act which here at Bill Plant Driving School we feel it is important for you to be aware of.

The legislation itself seems to be a great improvement on that of the past and makes it easier for companies who are simply not taking care to make sure their driver’s are safe to be convicted more easily.

Basically, companies out there that have good safety policies should not live in fear of the new law. But let’s face it as a company how many times do you review your safety policies and are you really confident that you have the necessary procedures in place to make your staff safe?

Here is where Bill Plant can help you.  Look at our Occupational Road Risk Management section in the Fleetcraft section of the driving school website. The reduction of driving accidents through fleet operation training has already been proven.

Protection of your company is essential and the backup from experienced consultants is paramount. Corporate driver training is not just the phrase of the moment it can potentially be life saving.