Fleet Management Services Can Help Delivery Services and Their Drivers

The call of the open road is enough of an allure to some that they’ll switch career gears and find themselves covering thousands upon thousands of miles behind the wheel. There’s also good news for those considering this field: According to mid-2018 statistics from The Washington Post, there were approximately 51,000 openings that the industry as a whole would need filled if it wanted to operate correctly. Readers who view themselves as delivery and truck drivers in the making may have found a calling, but it never hurts to learn a little bit more about the industry and career path before committing. This knowledge can range from driving techniques from veterans to working with your employer’s commercial fleet services provider to get the latest training. We’ll cover these topics and more in this blog post to help those considering a career as a driver gain a bit more insight.

The first step: A commercial driver's license (CDL) is something every prospective truck driver is going to need to hold in their hand. Some who are new to the industry may think that obtaining their CDL license is only required for driving tractor trailers. That’s not always the case, as organizations that offer fleet management services will be quick to note that the CDL license is also required for delivery driver gigs in smaller “box” trucks, too. DMV.org points out that the testing process varies from state to state but in the end, you’ll be able to “operate certain types of vehicles that are off limits to regular drivers.”

What not to do: According to Smart-Trucking.com, reducing the likelihood of an accident during your first year should be near the top of your priority list. “Do your very best to avoid accidents. They will show up on your driving record (also known as a ‘DAC’ report, according to the article]. Many incidents are preventable and unnecessary,” the website states. In the event of an accident, your employer’s fleet accident management provider may step in to handle the logistics. These entities are responsible for dealing with insurance companies, appraising damage and coordinating work with repair shops.

Who you’ll be working with: While you are most certainly the only one behind the wheel of your delivery truck, that doesn’t mean you won’t be in contact with dispatchers and other experts who handle commercial fleet services. There are quite literally so many moving parts to these types of operations that an individual trucker can expect to hear from fleet management services when it comes to logistics, planning and getting the goods in the back of your truck to where they need to be – and doing so on time.

Fleet Management Companies Factor For Shipping Risks, Regulations And Rewards

When an auto insurance company suggests fleet safety training might be the next best practice for your delivery or trucking company, you know that it’s time to pay attention. That’s exactly what Travelers Insurance has done in a recent study of the subject that allows for owners and managers of trucking companies to train drivers, institute safety protocols, develop partnerships for affordable repairs and much more. According to the insurance company, an on-the-job accident involving a vehicle has an average cost of about $70,000 compared to $36,500 at other office-setting workplaces. If you shudder at the thought of having to deal with insurance companies as you settle either of those amounts, then fleet management providers could become your next best friend. We thus encourage you to read on to find out why.

Those new to the concept of fleet management need to know that this essential service works with your company to develop best practices. Some of those training programs that will educate your shipping drivers include accident and safety policy documentation, training videos and other lessons, interactive services, incentives and recognition for clean driving records and more. Given that the American Trucking Association estimates that 70 percent of all freight in the U.S. is hauled by 3.6 million large vehicles operated by 3.5 million drivers, there are plenty of opportunities for something to go wrong. That’s exactly why fleet safety training can prove to be a crucial investment; you’ll learn about the drivers you hire and can rest assured that they’ve been prepared for the risks, regulations and rewards of over-the-road trucking.

According to Travelers Insurance, the overarching perks of fleet management is establishing rules that factor for just about every unexpected event that a trucking company could encounter. Fleet safety “establishes the policies and procedures that are needed to help ensure a safe work environment for employees. It can also help protect against liability from vehicle accidents,” the insurance company states. At CEI Network, a Pennsylvania-based fleet management company and safety training operation, the likelihood of requiring repairs or dealing with insurance companies is completely accounted for. Companies that want to work with collision centers that can complete timely and affordable repairs will see that fleet management operations can link them up with skilled mechanics and body work professionals.  Best of all, owners and managers remain in the driver’s seat even after partnering with fleet management providers. The fact that a third party is handling the headaches that come with mishaps should be reason enough to research these types of companies as possible partners on the horizon.