Managing a company's fleet may not seem like a daunting task. Many become fleet managers because they are good at dealing with vehicles in one way or another. As you move up the ranks, however, your responsibilities grow.
In fleet management, you need more knowledge and strength to excel in the role. Here's what you need to know to be the best fleet manager for your company.
1. Checklist for Drivers
Develop a comprehensive checklist for drivers, such as safety checklists and vehicle servicing. Install GPS tracking systems in each vehicle to monitor vehicle speed, idling, and maintenance needs.
Take proactive steps to ensure safety, such as annual safety training. Consider employing telematics technology to analyze vehicle performance and develop a strategy for fuel efficiency.
2. Optimize Your Fleet Size
Because there is so much more activity as a fleet grows, inefficiencies are more prone to appear. Drivers will travel needlessly. Employees will attempt to smuggle in personal travel.
Conduct routine audits of your logs to search for unused travel. Inform drivers of any issues you have so they know you are keeping an eye on their performance.
3. Do More Preventative Maintenance
Don't put off getting your car serviced until it needs costly repairs. Spend the money upfront on preventative maintenance and be proactive. Long-term costs of significant repairs are higher than preventative maintenance for a fleet.
4. Maintain Strict Rules
New fleet managers should take it upon themselves to ensure that their fleet upholds strict rules. This includes setting clear expectations and standards for driver safety. Develop a policy that clearly states your expectations for driver behavior and safety.
Ensure that all vehicles undergo regularly scheduled maintenance and inspections. Monitor driver performance and disengage any who are not meeting the standards. If you are looking for trucking management, consider the less than truckload shipping specialists to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
5. Use of Rotating Vehicles
For fleet managers new to managing a fleet of rotating vehicles, it is essential to establish a solid foundation of practices to ensure the fleet's success.
Regularly plan and coordinate vehicle availability. Knowing the condition of each vehicle and when it is available is paramount. Ensure to inform users of the guidelines and regulations to follow when using the car.
Make sure to document any vehicle incidents and keep track of usage logs to support maintenance needs better. Always stay up to date with any new technology that may be beneficial in tracking the angles and servicing of vehicles.
6. Track Everything
Good managers know that effective fleet management requires tracking every aspect of vehicle assets. Tracking everything helps you better understand the condition of your assets, allows for timely maintenance and repairs, and makes it easy to monitor individual driver performance based on the available data.
Use tracking devices to monitor vehicle performance in real-time and ensure everyone follows standard protocols.
Understanding Fleet Management
Fleet management is complex and time-consuming and requires a comprehensive understanding of the task. For new managers, the six tips explored in this article serve as a starting point for understanding the basics of fleet management. Try them out and spend less time managing your physical fleet and focusing more on what matters.
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