Car Safety Tips for Business Owners

Staff are motivated by more than their wage, such as using a company car, especially if it’s brand new. It’s also rewarding for the business owner, as their company is doing well.

However, it’s not as straightforward as just handing over the keys. There are a few driver checks to do as well as paperwork to complete.

This article is for business owners providing staff with company cars for the first time. We look at what the business needs to do, from buying or leasing insurance and tax implications. Let us take a look, starting with the obvious – the liability for the car is with the business, not the driver.

It’s Not Their Car

The vehicle does not belong to the person using it. The liability for the car is with the business. Responsibility for everything from the car’s upkeep, including servicing and maintenance, to insurance is with the company, not the employee driving the company car as a perk.

Insurance

Either lease the company cars and pay the maintenance fee, etc., with a fleet management plan. Secure a competitive company vehicle insurance deal if your business buys the vehicles.

Tax

Did you know your business will have tax implications when you have company cars? Your business will pay National Insurance on the vehicle’s value at a rate of 13.8%.

Upkeep

Some drivers will behave slightly differently with a company car, i.e. they will be less discerning about its upkeep than if they knew they would be footing the bills for repairs.

For example, the driver may care less about cleaning the car or how they drive it. They are more likely to park too close to other vehicles and risk getting dents in it from other car doors opening and hitting the car. Plus, they would risk taking a road car off-road when they’re not ultimately responsible for it.

Did you know up to 25% of all road traffic accidents involve company cars, which might not sound alarming until you consider that only 10% to 15% of vehicles on the road are company-owned?

Have a Written Policy

Every business with any kind of vehicle fleet that is driven by employees is strongly advised to have a written policy that details everything from how the vehicle is to be looked after, from keeping it clean to make sure it is serviced promptly, to penalties should the driver be found to be at fault during an accident, whether during working hours or not.

The policy should be concise and straightforward and should be put into the hand of every employee who is due to receive a set of company car keys – in fact, two copies should be made: one for the employee to sign, to be retained in the office, and the other to be handed to the employee, so they cannot claim not to have the information at hand.

Check Drivers’ Licences

While honour systems are noble and admirable regarding the safety of your employees, your vehicles and others on the road, it is up to you to check driver’s licences and, if you have even the faintest hint of doubt, to double-check the details with the DVLA.

Someone driving your cars without a license can harm your business reputation and lose your fleet. The police crackdown on uninsured vehicles and unlicensed drivers – and an overly lenient boss might find themselves in legal trouble for not ascertaining that their drivers are qualified for the job.

Invest in Advanced Driving Skills

Advanced and defensive driving skills are a great way to ensure that your drivers proceed carefully on the roads.

For example, looking out for potential hazards and taking pre-emptive steps very early on and thus, with luck, avoiding incidents altogether.

A sure way to know your company car drivers are best equipped to handle the car is to contact a driving school about coming in to give a mass talk to all your drivers and, if required, pay for their attendance on a defensive driving course. If this is not viable for your company due to budget constraints, you could offer a bonus to anyone with an advanced driving certificate.

Onus on You to Provide Safe Car

One fact that sometimes comes as a nasty surprise to business owners is that the onus is on you to provide a safe car for your employees to drive. While they are usually on their own while commuting to or from work, you are responsible for operating as part of their duties.

When your business owns its fleet, it must ensure they’re fit for purpose and road-worthy. For example, MOT certificates were obtained, and the vehicles were serviced, including tyre checks. Remember, company car drivers will wear down the car tyres quicker due to heavy driving, says London-based Iverson Tyres.

Final Thoughts

While drivers are usually held responsible for their own driving, there are times when your business will be seen as the plaintiff in the case.

Ensure you know exactly what your responsibilities are and ensure your workers understand and agree to comply with this.

This blog post hasn’t covered the employee’s tax obligations when driving the company car for personal use or the company fuel tax. Do your research, and if in doubt, when choosing company cars, opt for leasing on a fully managed plan where everything from upkeep to insurance is included.