Citizen Housing Communication
A new Driver Management programme from Fleet Service GB (FSGB) is coming soon!
We’re introducing the new FSGB Driver Management programme from Fleet Service GB (FSGB) to improve the way we manage our vehicles and handle driver information. This involves a new mobile app, the ‘FSGB Achieve Driver App’, and a new one-time setup called the ‘Authority to Drive on-boarding process’. This new system will completely replace the old way you submitted driver declarations, making it much simpler to provide your information.
We’ll be back in touch in the next few weeks to confirm when the new system will go live, and we’ll also share information about how to register.
Will it apply to me?
That depends on whether you drive for Citizen Housing, and whether you drive a Citizen Housing van or use your own vehicle.
I don't drive for Citizen Housing
If you don’t drive a Citizen Housing van, and you don’t claim expenses for business trips made in your own vehicle, you won’t need to register on the new app. However, if your situation changes, you will need to sign up with FSGB before you drive for work purposes.
I drive a Citizen Housing van
If you drive a Citizen Housing van, your driver declaration will move across to FSGB. We’ll let you know when the new app is going live and we’ll also share details of how to register (it will only take around 15 minutes).
There are three stages to registration:
- Driver declarations: The app asks a few questions about your health, driving history and experience. This helps to ensure we remain compliant with health and safety legislation.
- Driving scenarios: Next, you’ll be asked seven multiple-choice questions about different driving scenarios. Your responses will influence your driver score in the app.
- DVLA licence check: Finally, you’ll be asked to consent to the DVLA releasing your driving licence details. This is so FSGB can carry out automated licence checks and ensure you remain entitled to drive. Refusing permission means you won’t be able to drive for Citizen Housing.
Check out this short video which explains the registration process.
I drive my own car for Citizen Housing
If you drive your own car for work, you’re part of our ‘grey fleet’ and you’ll need to register on the new app (in the same way a Citizen Housing van driver would).
FSGB’s system replaces driver declarations in the associate FSGB Achieve Driver App and is much easier to use. It will auto-populate your vehicle details, including MOT and tax renewal dates, so there’s less data input and less potential for mistakes (which have led to declarations being rejected in the past).
You’ll still need to update your declaration when your insurance, MOT or tax expires, but you won’t need to complete a new record. The new system will simply ask you to update each part when it’s due.
What does it mean for managers?
If you’re a manager with team members who drive Citizen Housing vehicles or are part of our grey fleet, you’ll have access to an FSGB management dashboard. The dashboard allows you to see driver information relating to your team and will alert you to outstanding tasks or issues.
New starters will need to register before they can drive for business purposes. This will be added to new colleague induction schedules. Don’t forget, the Fleet team is on hand to support with driver induction queries.
Why the change?
We have a legal obligation to manage the level of risk for colleagues who drive as part of their role.
Driving for work is one of the most dangerous activities we do, whether in company vans or personal cars.
A recent study found that nearly one in three road deaths involve a work-related journey – which means more deaths occur from work-related road trips than within the workplace.
Amongst other things, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) expect us to:
- Make sure vehicles used for work are correctly taxed, insured, and are safe to drive;
- Provide clear instructions and guidance to help you stay safe on the road; assess your driving competence and capability, and ensure you are fit to drive;
- Provide regular driver-specific training;
- Manage risks and costs, and keep records.
Currently, it’s challenging for us to meet these expectations but FSGB’s system will help us to achieve them, and to gather better data about our fleet and its maintenance. These improvements are in line with our Always Safe culture and values.
Will we need to do more training?
Yes. We are required to provide driver-specific training to all company drivers, whether you’re a van driver or personal car driver. The FSGB app contains 23 short eLearning modules and you’ll be asked to complete a new module every three months.
In some cases, FSGB eLearning may be supported by face-to-face sessions or toolbox talks.
Successful completion of eLearning modules will boost your driver score.
The road ahead
The introduction of the new system will mark an important step forward for our vehicle and driver safety standards. As well as keeping us compliant with health and safety and legal requirements, it will also help us to reduce insurance and fuel costs, CO2 emissions and some of our maintenance costs.
We’ll share an update in the next few weeks about when the new app will land on your devices. If you have any queries in the meantime, please get in touch with Liam Faulkner, our Fleet Manager.