Driving for work

Employees and volunteers undertake a variety of driving activities in the delivery of essential activities. Health and safety law applies to on-the-road work activities and Managers are therefore required to ensure the risks are effectively managed.

Contents

Training

Managers must assess if training is required for employees/volunteers based on the risks presented by the driving for work they will be undertaking.  Information and instruction will be sufficient for the majority.

Drivers that undertake high risk driving for work and those that have more than one accident whilst driving for work, had their driving licence excluded or have more than three points on their licence should be considered for advance driver training to support management of the risks.  

Drivers must also receive training in the safe use and operation of equipment provided in vehicles e.g. tail lifts, wheelchair restraint systems, reversing cameras, etc. It is important that drivers understand how to use such equipment in a safe and suitable manner.  

Further information is available in the Driving for Work Guidance.

Volunteer drivers

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has published a handbook to help volunteer drivers avoid accidents and injuries to themselves, their passengers and other road users.  

The RoSPA offers advice and reassurance to the thousands of community-spirited people who give their time and services freely to voluntary organisations.