New driver agency accreditation scheme

28th March 2014

The Freight Transport Association has launched a new voluntary Driver Agency Accreditation Scheme, to recognise, encourage and promote good practice within the sector.

“Ensuring high standards are maintained is always a priority for our members, but it may prove to be particularly important in a year when economic growth could increase the need to access a flexible workforce,” the FTA’s Chief Executive Theo de Pencier said.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill added:  “I welcome the FTA scheme and hope it helps to give driver agencies a recognised structure for improvement.”

Benefits of the scheme include recognition that organisations are striving to achieve the highest levels of quality and compliance, verification to employees and clients that driver agencies are promoting good practice, and a reduction of corporate and operational risk.  An audit process will also highlight areas of ineffectiveness or non-compliance, to help improve systems and processes

A Governance Group will consider applications, audit performance, feedback results, complaints and any other information.

Every driver agency applying to become accredited will be asked to sign a statement of intent, and be independently audited on core business standards, driver recruitment standards and driver management standards.