Fleet Geeks Podcast by Flagship Partners

Should I sack my driver who used his mobile phone whilst driving?

Should I sack my driver who used his mobile phone whilst driving?
In this episode,  Pete explores mobile phone use by professional drivers and what you should do as a Fleet Manager if they get caught.
The Fleet Geeks are here to support you on your journey. Our mission is to Develop Fleet and Transport Professionals. Find out more here; https://www.flagshippartners.co.uk/peer-to-peer-mentoring-flagship/
Join our FREE community over on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244794840391782/
The podcast is sponsored by Flagship Partners; If you are interested in finding out more about us drop an email hello@flagshippartners.co.uk or check out the website www.flagshippartners.co.uk.

10 MORE Policies you must have for your Fleet Operation

10 MORE Policies you must have for your Fleet Operation, these include.
1. Wheel Security & Torque Policy
Sets out the process for wheel fitting, retorquing, and inspection.👉 Purpose: Prevents catastrophic wheel loss and shows DVSA you take mechanical integrity seriously.
2. Bridge Strike Prevention Policy
Outlines route-planning expectations, height-awareness checks, and driver training on vehicle heights.👉 Purpose: Reduces one of the most reputation-damaging and costly incidents possible.
3. Speed Management Policy
Defines your stance on speed compliance, use of limiters, and telematics monitoring.👉 Purpose: Protects safety, OCRS scores, and fuel efficiency.
4. Parking, Security & Load Theft Policy
Sets out secure parking expectations, use of high-risk route plans, and incident response if theft occurs.👉 Purpose: Protects high-value goods and driver safety.
5. Driver Induction & Training Policy
Ensures every driver receives consistent onboarding, safety briefings, and ongoing training refreshers.👉 Purpose: Builds competence and consistency across the fleet.
6. Mobile Plant, Shunter & Yard Safety Policy
Covers the operation of yard vehicles, reversing protocols, and segregation of pedestrians.👉 Purpose: Prevents serious injuries in depots — often overlooked by operators.
7. Tyre Management Policy
Goes beyond wheel torque — covers selection, inspection, tread depth, pressure checks, and age limits.👉 Purpose: Prevents blowouts, reduces costs, and supports sustainability goals.
8. Fuel Card, Refuelling & Spill Control Policy
Details safe refuelling procedures, use of fuel cards, and environmental response to spills.👉 Purpose: Prevents pollution and theft while ensuring cost control
9. Breakdown & Recovery Policy
Explains what drivers should do during a roadside breakdown or recovery situation.👉 Purpose: Ensures safety, minimises downtime, and reduces risk to other road users.
10. Communication & Reporting Policy
Defines how operational information flows between drivers, TMs, planners, and workshops.👉 Purpose: Stops critical info getting lost in translation and supports audit trails.
In this episode,  Pete explores these policies and why you need them.
The Fleet Geeks are here to support you on your journey. Our mission is to Develop Fleet and Transport Professionals. Find out more here; https://www.flagshippartners.co.uk/peer-to-peer-mentoring-flagship/
Join our FREE community over on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244794840391782/
The podcast is sponsored by Flagship Partners; If you are interested in finding out more about us drop an email hello@flagshippartners.co.uk or check out the website www.flagshippartners.co.uk.

10 Policies you must have for your Fleet Operation

10 Policies you must have for your Fleet Operation.  these include.
1. Driver Hours & Working Time Policy
Defines the rules and company stance on tachograph use, rest breaks, working time, and how infringements are managed.👉 Purpose: Keeps you compliant with EU/GB drivers’ hours laws and the Working Time Directive.
2. Vehicle Defect & Daily Walkaround Check Policy
Sets the standard for pre-use inspections, defect reporting, rectification, and sign-off.👉 Purpose: Demonstrates a safety-first culture and keeps vehicles roadworthy.
3. Roadworthiness & Maintenance Policy
Outlines how the operator ensures vehicles are maintained, inspected, and repaired.👉 Purpose: Links directly to your OCRS score and DVSA’s earned recognition standards.
4. Driver Conduct & Behaviour Policy
Covers expectations around professionalism, language, dress, customer interaction, and incident reporting.👉 Purpose: Protects reputation and ensures consistent behaviour across the fleet.
5. Accident & Incident Reporting Policy
Sets out what drivers must do after collisions, near misses, or damage — including evidence capture and immediate reporting.👉 Purpose: Manages risk, insurance exposure, and investigation consistency.
6. Fuel, Emissions & Environmental Policy
Details your approach to fuel efficiency, idling reduction, route planning, and sustainability goals.👉 Purpose: Supports your “greener” agenda and can save thousands in fuel.
7. Load Security & Safe Loading Policy
Explains how loads are to be secured, checked, and documented.👉 Purpose: Reduces incidents, protects public safety, and satisfies DVSA load enforcement checks.
8. Licence & Driver Qualification Policy
Covers how you check and monitor driver entitlements, CPC, medicals, and endorsements.👉 Purpose: Prevents unqualified or disqualified drivers operating vehicles.
9. Drugs, Alcohol & Fatigue Policy
Lays out the company’s zero-tolerance approach to substance misuse, random testing, and managing driver fatigue.👉 Purpose: Protects safety, reputation and legal standing.
10. Mobile Phone, Telematics & Technology Use Policy
Defines acceptable use of in-cab devices, telematics data, and dashcams.👉 Purpose: Prevents distraction, misuse, and data breaches.
In this episode,  Pete explores these policies and why you need them.
The Fleet Geeks are here to support you on your journey. Our mission is to Develop Fleet and Transport Professionals. Find out more here; https://www.flagshippartners.co.uk/peer-to-peer-mentoring-flagship/
Join our FREE community over on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244794840391782/
The podcast is sponsored by Flagship Partners; If you are interested in finding out more about us drop an email hello@flagshippartners.co.uk or check out the website www.flagshippartners.co.uk.

Appeals decision on RT International Transport Ltd

Appeals decision on RT International Transport Ltd.  The information can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/administrative-appeals-tribunal-decisions/rt-international-transport-ltd-t-2025-ukut-283-aac
In this episode,  Pete explores this appeal and the process.  Why was the decision overturned?  Why do we get asked for 'wet signatures'?
The Fleet Geeks are here to support you on your journey. Our mission is to Develop Fleet and Transport Professionals. Find out more here; https://www.flagshippartners.co.uk/peer-to-peer-mentoring-flagship/
Join our FREE community over on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244794840391782/
The podcast is sponsored by Flagship Partners; If you are interested in finding out more about us drop an email hello@flagshippartners.co.uk or check out the website www.flagshippartners.co.uk.

The mechanics of mentoring for Fleet Managers

The mechanics of mentoring for Fleet Managers.  Why quality mentoring skills are vital to develop our next generation of talent.
In this episode,  Pete explores mentoring.  If you want to mentor, already mentor, or have mentored others this podcast is vital listening to better understand, what the skills, attributes and process for supporting a mentee as a mentor.
The Fleet Geeks are here to support you on your journey. Our mission is to Develop Fleet and Transport Professionals. Find out more here; https://www.flagshippartners.co.uk/peer-to-peer-mentoring-flagship/
Join our FREE community over on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244794840391782/
The podcast is sponsored by Flagship Partners; If you are interested in finding out more about us drop an email hello@flagshippartners.co.uk or check out the website www.flagshippartners.co.uk.

Under the bonnet - mental health in transport

Under the bonnet - mental health in transport.  Let's keep the narrative going in this vital podcast!
In this episode,  Pete explores (on World Mental Health Day); what mental health in the workplace and transport is, why it's important, how to spot the signs in yourself and others as well as how to provide support.
The Fleet Geeks are here to support you on your journey. Our mission is to Develop Fleet and Transport Professionals. Find out more here; https://www.flagshippartners.co.uk/peer-to-peer-mentoring-flagship/
Join our FREE community over on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244794840391782/
The podcast is sponsored by Flagship Partners; If you are interested in finding out more about us drop an email hello@flagshippartners.co.uk or check out the website www.flagshippartners.co.uk.

8 benefits of a peer group for Transport Managers

8 benefits of a peer group for Transport Managers.
In this episode,  Pete explores the options out there for peer groups.  Outlining 8 reasons they are really beneficial for professionals working in the role.  As well as how to find out more about our fantastic peer mentoring scheme.
The Fleet Geeks are here to support you on your journey. Our mission is to Develop Fleet and Transport Professionals. Find out more here; https://www.flagshippartners.co.uk/peer-to-peer-mentoring-flagship/
Join our FREE community over on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244794840391782/
The podcast is sponsored by Flagship Partners; If you are interested in finding out more about us drop an email hello@flagshippartners.co.uk or check out the website www.flagshippartners.co.uk.

Why I think the industry guidance should be version controlled and probably why it isn't!

Why I think the industry guidance should be version controlled and probably why it isn't!
In this episode,  Pete explores industry guidance.  Who is writing it?  Who is proofreading it?  What happens when there is amendments made and how do we know about it?  How do we know what has been changed, edited, amended?  The challenge is we often don't.  Usually there is an 'updated for clarity'.  Which in it itself is a a paradox.  In ISO 9001 it is a requirement to version control documents and note down what is changed, by who and why.  I believe this would be a more transparent way of issuing guidance to the our industry.
The Fleet Geeks are here to support you on your journey. Our mission is to Develop Fleet and Transport Professionals. Find out more here; https://www.flagshippartners.co.uk/peer-to-peer-mentoring-flagship/
Join our FREE community over on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244794840391782/
The podcast is sponsored by Flagship Partners; If you are interested in finding out more about us drop an email hello@flagshippartners.co.uk or check out the website www.flagshippartners.co.uk.

I want to do my Transport Manager CPC should I do an online or in person course?

I want to do my TM CPC should I do an online or in person course?
In this episode,  Pete explores your training options for a Transport Manager CPC course.  Should you learn online or in person.  Explaining the pros and cons of each option.
The Fleet Geeks are here to support you on your journey. Our mission is to Develop Fleet and Transport Professionals. Find out more here; https://www.flagshippartners.co.uk/peer-to-peer-mentoring-flagship/
Join our FREE community over on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244794840391782/
The podcast is sponsored by Flagship Partners; If you are interested in finding out more about us drop an email hello@flagshippartners.co.uk or check out the website www.flagshippartners.co.uk.

3 reasons fixed pricing for External Transport Management doesn't work.

3 reasons fixed pricing for External Transport Management doesn't work.
In this episode,  Pete explores how External Transport Managers or ETMs price their time and their work.  As well as clear reasons why the fixed pricing per vehicle format many ETMs use, is not good news.
The Fleet Geeks are here to support you on your journey. Our mission is to Develop Fleet and Transport Professionals. Find out more here; https://www.flagshippartners.co.uk/peer-to-peer-mentoring-flagship/
Join our FREE community over on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/244794840391782/
The podcast is sponsored by Flagship Partners; If you are interested in finding out more about us drop an email hello@flagshippartners.co.uk or check out the website www.flagshippartners.co.uk.