FORS Support

Are you ready for FORS?

It can be a minefield for all. From one-man operations to Fleet and Transport Management.

Do you require the FORS accreditation?

Do you have an understanding of which vehicles need be covered?

What level of accreditation do you need?

At what cost?

What is FORS?

The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary accreditation scheme designed to help fleet operators improve fleet standards within their organisation.

Some of The Benefits

FORS offers a range of tools that help drivers, fleet managers, and organisations measure and improve performance across all aspects of their fleet operations, and demonstrate best practice.

• Improving road safety awareness
• Improving fuel efficiency and reducing fuel emissions
• Reducing the number of fines and other vehicle-related charges
• Better understanding and knowledge of the fleet industry

There are advantages fleet companies can take advantage of from earning a FORS accreditation, both for individuals, and company-wide.

Driver awareness and reducing the risk and number of incidents on the road will be important to any business. FORS provides workshops and educational materials to help organisations introduce more checks and streamline safety processes.

There is also the potential to make huge savings through better Fuel Economy and reducing fines. When you start seeing an improvement to your bottom line while improving your driver’s safety, it makes sense to join FORS.

How Can You Achieve FORS Accreditation?

To achieve accreditation, you need to prove you employ good practice and comply with the requirements laid out by the FORS Standard.

FORS splits its framework into three different tiers; Bronze, Siler, and Gold. To obtain accreditation at each level, a brief summary of the standard you will need to meet are as follows:

Bronze Accreditation

To achieve Bronze accreditation, you need to sign up and register your company via its website. Then you can download and read the FORS Standard documents. This details what to expect when it audits your business, which has to happen within 90 days of your registration. FORS then provides toolkits and other resources online if you need any help. You will need to pass a rigorous audit for Bronze accreditation.

Silver Accreditation

Silver accreditation includes making sure your fleet is also compliant with the CLOCS Standard for Construction Logistics and with TfL’s WRRR (Work Related Road Risk). The audit is more detailed and covers a wider range of areas. The format is the same, you can download the Standard documents to ensure you are well prepared for the audit.

Gold Accreditation

Gold accreditation is the highest standard of compliance you can demonstrate in accordance with their criteria. It includes ensuring your company is promoting the FORS Standard through your supply chain and demonstrating meaningful improvements against the baseline data gathered during Silver accreditation.

How do drivers benefit from FORS?

FORS offers a range of classroom-based and e-learning courses and training materials to help drivers improve and maintain high driving standards. Its driver training materials includes:

• Beyond Compulsory Basic Training – for delivery drivers in urban environments.
• Safe Urban Driving – for commercial HGV operators.
• TruckSmart – for commercial HGV drivers.
• VanSmart – for commercial van drivers.
• LoCITY Driving – for commercial HGV and van drivers.

There are benefits for the individual drivers taking the courses, their managers, and the company as a whole.

A safer, better informed and educated driver is more mindful about costs and how their driving impacts the environment and other road users.

How do fleet managers benefit from FORS?

FORS also provides separate training courses and materials for fleet managers to help them perform their role better.

FORS’ courses include:

• HGV/PCV Fleet Management Essentials – for supervisory staff working to achieve O Licence.
• Car/Van Fleet Management Essentials – for supervisory staff operating car and van fleets.
• Toolbox Talks – to help operators communicate with their staff.
• Collision Management – Road Risk Champion and Collision Investigator.
• FORS Practitioner – series of workshops designed for transport managers.

What is a FORS Champion and should you be one?

FORS runs a Champion scheme. In this scheme, it invites fleet managers and organisations to apply to become a Champion. As a Champion, you will actively promote FORS and help to improve their overall levels of safety. It is a way to make a real difference within your own organisation and other organisations, too.

The additional benefits and benefits include:

• Using the FORS Supplier and Supporter logo
• Access to eNews
• Discounts on selected FORS events and workshops
• Having your company profile displayed on The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme’s champion page listing

Will FORS accreditation save your company money?

Yes, there are ways you can save money by working to the Standards set by FORS.

It provides case studies on their site detailing how they have helped countless companies reduce their fuel spend. Achieved by improving the miles per gallon you are getting across your fleet. With fleets of hundreds or even thousands of vehicles, the potential savings by reducing fuel consumption by a small percentage can save thousands of pounds.

Done by learning how to measure the fuel your drivers are using. How much idle time they are experiencing, the speed and the way they are driving. Another area where FORS is helping companies make meaningful savings is by reducing the number of incidents on the road. By educating drivers and fleet managers on better fleet practices, companies following the FORS Standards typically see a reduction in incidents.

IN BRIEF

The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary accreditation scheme that promotes best practice for commercial vehicle operators. FORS focuses on all aspects of safety, efficiency and environmental protection by encouraging and training operators to measure, monitor and improve performance.

Organisations that award contracts to hauliers now demand the FORS accreditation and the standards that come with holding a Bronze, Silver or Gold progressive membership to ensure the highest levels of best practice within the industry.

RTC Managing Director, Darren Ridden CMILT is a certified FORS Auditor, FORS Practitioner, FORS Specialist, TM-CPC Holder and a certified ISO9001 Lead Auditor, and has conducted audits on behalf of the Fleet Accreditation Scheme. This has given him detailed knowledge to gain a first-time audit pass ensuring your organisation, big or small, obtains accreditation in a timely and cost-effective manner.