Employers liable for grey fleet drivers

Grey fleet drivers could be on the road illegally, after new research has revealed that nearly a third have never even opened the bonnet.

The research found that more than half (54%) of drivers who use their own vehicle for work don’t conduct basic safety checks before a long drive, while one in five (19%) say they currently have a warning light showing and don’t plan to have it checked.

These safety lapses include not checking the tyre tread (32%) or tyre pressure (27%), oil levels (30%), or if the headlights (32%) or the brake lights are working (35%). In fact, more than one in four (28%) grey fleet drivers surveyed admit they have never even opened the bonnet.

This is according to research carried out by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which reminded employers they are legally responsible for the condition and roadworthiness of any car used for work, even if it is owned by the employee.

Enterprise is advising businesses of all sizes to review their employee travel plans to address grey fleet safety issues more specifically and to put systems in place to monitor work journeys and the vehicles being used.

Paul McCorkell, assistant vice president of business mobility for the UK and Ireland at Enterprise, said: “The grey fleet is shaping into a bigger challenge for employers than perhaps it’s ever been before. With more people working from home, and data showing that used car demand and prices are both heading upwards post-lockdown, many employees may now plan to buy a second-hand car and use it for business travel.

“Failure to carry out basic safety checks on those vehicles can mean missed meetings – or it could lead to a road accident where the employer may be liable.

“At the very least, employers should have a means in place to track how employees use their own cars for work trips, and a way for drivers to confirm that they’ve checked their vehicle and it’s suitable for the road. That way they can get a sense of the scale of the problem and offer employees a solution even though they have so many other priorities right now.”