Driver Agency Excellence

What is Driver Agency Excellence?

Driver Agency Excellence is a voluntary initiative which has been developed alongside operators and driver agencies. It aims to recognise, encourage and promote best practice within the sector. Driver Agency Excellence is managed by FTA and steered by a Governance Group, made up of specialist driver agencies.

To support agencies, FTA has developed a standardised knowledge-check assessment for drivers and a course for agency staff, to ensure that the office team putting drivers on assignment are also kept up to date with transport legislation.

Within the recently launched DVSA Earned Recognition scheme, there is a requirement for operators who use driver agencies, to not only have a formal contract, but also audit their agencies. Driver Agency Excellence satisfies that requirement and is referenced within the DVSA standard.

Understand the importance of the operator’s licence and how to help your client stay compliant
Understand the requirements of transport legislation
Appreciate the necessity of terms andconditions in your business
Understand the responsibilities for reporting accidents and incidents

The vital and temporary requirement for an agency driver means compliance risk can be introduced into a transport operation. The Driver Agency Excellence scheme is a way for operators to mitigate the risk within their supply chain.

How to get involved...

Recommend an agency

If you are a customer of one or multiple driver agencies then you can recommend your agency for certification.

Recommend your agency

Find out what the certification involves

Once you apply for the scheme you will be taken through a six-step certification process.

Six step certification process

Find a certified agency

Take a look at our Online List of Certified Agencies

View certified agencies

Advice on Agency Drivers

View our Advice on Agency Drivers

Compliance and Advice

Benefits for Operators

Assists in demonstrating ‘due diligence’ for the DVSA Earned Recognition scheme

Free to specify the scheme - include in your approved supplier requirements or tender process

Raising the standard of the driver agencies within your supply chain

Mitigates risk by auditing your agency against core business standards, driver recruitment standards, driver management standards

Benefits for Driver Agencies

Access to Logistics UK compliance guides and template documents

Confidence that your systems are being adhered to by your staff

Demonstrates to employees and customers that they are an exemplar agency

Discounted price for Logistics UK Certificate in Driver Recruitment training

Listed on Logistics UK Driver Agency Excellence website

Regular auditing to provide continual review and improvement

Standardised Logistics UK assessment to confirm a drivers’ knowledge before assignment

Use of Driver Agency Excellence logo

Our feedback

“We have been part of the FTA DAE Scheme since its inception and are proud to be members of the Governance Group. The spirit of the scheme is for it to be the standard across the sector in respect of agency driver provision. The principles of Driver Recruitment, Core Business Standards and Driver Management within the DAE form the basis of our procedures and each of our locations operate to this framework. The benefits of compliance, best practice and training consistencies across the group brings added value to our Clients and those within our business who perform recruitment functions for Transport Operations. We are wholly committed to the development and ongoing expansion of the FTA DAE.”

David Farrer, Head of Driving, Proman

What does the audit cover?

Core business standards

Employment Agencies Act 1973
Insurance
Sub-contracting
Policies
Operational Staff Training
Quality Monitoring Systems
Drug and Alcohol Policy

Driver management standards

Working Time legislation
Drivers’ hours and tachograph rules
Return of records
Periodic competency checks
Periodic assessment of drivers’ knowledge

Driver recruitment standards

Driver recruitment checks
Initial competency checks
Specialist equipment and loads
Initial assessment of drivers’ knowledge
Driver assignment
Health and safety
Agency Worker Regulations 2011

Further information

To join the scheme, please complete and return the application form by fax to 01892 552360 or post to Driver Agency Scheme, Freight Transport Association, Hermes House, St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9UZ

Driver Agency Scheme Brochure