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It’s no secret that bureaucracy is a big part of the logistics industry. As well as the usual management-level paperwork, HGV drivers are expected to ensure that they have the correct licences and paperwork, and keep their documents in order at all times. The FTA’s new software update doesn’t change much from a driver’s perspective, but it makes keeping licence detail up-to-date more seamless than ever from a managerial perspective. What Does this Mean for Managers? Visionfta is already widely known in the industry. It is largely used for managing the hours of the various HGV drivers in the employ of a given logistics firm, and it can also be used to plan shifts and keep drivers informed, among other things. The fact that it’s already widely used makes it a perfect candidate for integration with the Licence Bureau’s database, and this integration has been delivered in a recent update. Visionfta users will now have integrated access to HGV drivers’ licence details via the Licence Bureau. Therefore, instead of a time-consuming need to keep checking with the Bureau separately, this vital information is now instantly available to administrative workers who need it. This means that logistics firms will be operating more efficiently, while ensuring that all drivers are properly certified and being quickly informed of any changes to a driver’s licence status. What Does this Mean for Drivers? HGV drivers are and have always been able to use Visionfta, and they will now have access to their own licence information through the software, but this is likely to be of limited use to the individuals actually in possession of the licences themselves. Anyone driving without the proper certification, or failing to inform their company of any changes to their paperwork, could find themselves running into difficulties, but drivers who are properly licenced will probably not see any significant change to their day-to-day operation. Of course, as with any software change, there could be teething problems. The precise nature of any bugs that may need fixing remains to be seen, but the integration should be simple enough and only minimal adjustments may be required. Those working within the haulage industry in an administrative capacity are encouraged to contact the FTA with any feedback. Hopefully, the increased simplicity with which companies can check on the licence details of their employees will help to improve the public image of the industry. Knowing that the drivers on their roads are properly licenced will help keep the public on-side, something that will be important as potential HGV bans are being debated. Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching HGV drivers with available jobs. Over 4,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.
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