RHA Hoping to Gain FORS Equivalency

LGV operators in and around the UK capital participate in a multi-layered standardisation program known as the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS); a scheme designed to ensure safe and efficient practices among company drivers. Government officials credit the scheme with improving awareness among operators of the need to run safe and clean vehicles in London.

The Handy Shipping Guide directory recently reported that the Road Haulage Association (RHA) is now hoping to achieve FORS equivalency for its System and Procedure Compliance Audit scheme. RHA member companies participate in the accredited scheme whenever they are called to a public inquiry or when they simply want to ensure their companies are meeting best practices. The scheme is currently being updated to take into account new and higher standards being set by the RHA.

If the RHA is successful in achieving FORS equivalency, the scheme could be used as an additional audit tool to ensure compliance. It would make it easier for RHA member companies to meet their legal obligations under FORS, while at the same time utilising RHA’s and expertise to make sure things are done right.

More than Just Driver Training

Both of the FORS and the RHA audit schemes are more than just basic LGV training with a little extra thrown in. They are comprehensive schemes aimed at educating both LGV operators and company drivers, and encouraging them to meet a higher standard of operation for London. It goes well beyond basic road safety to include things like:

• safe operation in the congested city environment
• sharing the road with cyclists and other vehicles
• driving practices to reduce carbon emissions
• efficient route planning and delivery.

The comprehensive nature of the FORS scheme is unlike anything else in the UK haulage industry. Operators working in London need to do whatever it takes to make sure they are in compliance.

In the meantime, the HGV Training Centre is here to make sure companies have access to the best LGV training for their employees. We work with some very well known enterprises throughout the UK, offering new driver training, remedial training, and CPC training. We also work with individual drivers attempting to earn their licenses.

The HGV Training Centre is a leading provider of commercial driving instruction with more than 45 facilities around the country. Our approach is one that concentrates on teaching drivers only what they need to pass their tests. Is a fast-paced and concentrated approach that has achieved excellent results. As just one example, our students enjoy a 92% first-time pass rate for the HGV theory test.

If we can be of assistance to you or your company, don’t hesitate to contact us. New classes are forming all the time for LGV, PCV, horsebox, forklift, and trailer training. In a matter of months you can be trained and, where appropriate, ready to look for work. We even offer our students an up-to-date jobs database to help make the task of finding work easier.