Keeping your drivers and vehicles safe isn’t just good practice – it’s the law. This month, Driving for Better Business (DfBB) is shining a light on vehicle roadworthiness, helping fleet managers and business owners understand what’s required, and how to stay compliant.
Why Vehicle Roadworthiness Matters
Whether you’re managing a large fleet or a few company vehicles, roadworthiness is one of the most important areas of driver safety. It means making sure every vehicle you operate is safe, maintained and fit for the road – every single day, not just at MOT time.
Many managers assume a valid MOT is proof that a vehicle is roadworthy. But that’s not true – an MOT only confirms the condition of the vehicle at the time of the test. A month later, bald tyres or faulty brakes can still land you and your driver in serious trouble.
If a vehicle is found to be in a dangerous condition, drivers can be fined up to £2,500, get three penalty points, and even face a driving ban. For fleet operators, it also means higher insurance costs and potential business disruption if a driver loses their licence.
Driving for Better Business – New Fleet Safety Focus Update
Vehicle Roadworthiness – does everyone understand their responsibilities?
The legislation on vehicle roadworthiness is very clear – your vehicle must be safe and roadworthy at all times.
It’s also important to know that the law applies to both the driver and the operator – they are what as known as jointly and severally liable. In other words, the employee (the driver) and the employer (the operator) have joint responsibility for vehicle roadworthiness.
There are many vehicles on our roads that are simply not roadworthy. Up to a third of all vans will fail an MOT on first inspection – on lights, tyres, suspensions or brakes. If these essential areas are not given a cursory check before an MOT, are they being checked at all?
Driving for Better Business in collaboration with the National Highways Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention Team are providing free to access resources to help those who manage and employ drivers. Their Fleet Safety Focus Updates cover an important area every month. This month’s update focuses on Vehicle Roadworthiness.
It includes a link to download a file of useful resources for you to share with your drivers, including:
- An article on vehicle checks and vehicle roadworthiness.
- Short messages on speed for sharing through PDAs
- Roadworthiness poster for your notice boards
- 10-min pre-recorded toolbox talk video
- Van Driver Toolkit & Car Driver Toolkit PDF factsheets
Access this month’s Fleet Safety Focus here.
FSGB Stop & Think Road Safety Campaign
Fleet Service GB has launched Stop & Think – a nationwide campaign promoting safer driving for everyone who uses a vehicle for work. Driving for work is one of the most high-risk activities employees undertake, contributing to thousands of incidents every year.
The campaign encourages drivers and managers to take responsibility, think before they act, and build a stronger safety culture across the fleet industry. It combines real-world insights from garage partners – including photos of worn or damaged vehicle parts – with expert advice, safety alerts, and best-practice guidance.
At Fleet Service GB, we believe promoting driver safety isn’t just a legal duty, but a moral responsibility. With more than ten people losing their lives each week while driving for work, we’re calling on everyone in the fleet sector to stop, think, and take action to make our roads safer.
Read more about the campaign here.
Your Call to Action
To make sure your vehicles stay roadworthy and your drivers stay safe:
- Create or review your vehicle roadworthiness policy – if you don’t have one, use a policy builder to get started.
- Train your managers and supervisors so they understand what’s expected.
- Encourage and challenge your drivers to do regular vehicle checks.
- Record all checks – whether that’s on paper or through a simple app.
A few minutes of checking tyres, lights and brakes before a journey could prevent points, fines, breakdowns or worse.
Tips for Fleet Managers
- Don’t rely on MOT certificates – schedule regular inspections.
- Keep vehicles serviced on time, and record all maintenance.
- Make sure your fleet insurance reflects your vehicle use and safety policy.
- Encourage drivers to report any defects immediately – no matter how small.
- Review your risk assessments regularly.
Roadworthiness isn’t just a compliance box to tick – it’s about protecting your people and your business.
FAQs About Vehicle Roadworthiness
What does “vehicle roadworthiness” mean?
It means a vehicle is safe to drive and meets the legal standards for tyres, brakes, lights, mirrors, steering and other key systems.
Who is legally responsible for a vehicle’s condition?
Both the driver and the employer share legal responsibility. Even if a vehicle belongs to the company, the driver must check it’s safe before every journey.
How often should I check my vehicle?
Ideally, before every trip. Drivers should do quick daily walk-around checks and report any defects straight away.
Does an MOT prove a vehicle is roadworthy?
No. An MOT only shows that the vehicle met minimum standards on the test day. Ongoing checks are still needed.
What happens if my vehicle is found to be unsafe?
Drivers can face fines, penalty points and possible bans. Employers can also face investigations if poor maintenance is found to be systemic.
FAQs About Fleet Service GB
Who are Fleet Service GB?
Fleet Service GB is the only fully integrated fleet and driver management solution provider in the UK, offering end-to-end support for fleets of all sizes.
What services do Fleet Service GB provide?
They deliver everything from vehicle maintenance and breakdown management to compliance, driver training and risk management – all under one integrated system.
How does Fleet Service GB help with roadworthiness?
Their platform helps businesses manage maintenance schedules, report defects, track inspections and stay compliant with road safety law – giving managers confidence that every vehicle is safe and roadworthy.
Why choose Fleet Service GB?
Because it’s not just about managing vehicles – it’s about improving driver safety, reducing risk, and keeping your business moving efficiently and legally.
Final Thoughts
Roadworthiness is everyone’s responsibility – from the fleet manager to the driver behind the wheel. By checking, recording and maintaining your vehicles properly, you’re protecting your drivers, your business, and everyone else on the road.
Take a few minutes to explore this month’s DfBB Fleet Safety Focus – it could save you a lot more than just time.