A SWINDON multi-national firm has warned bosses to make sure any company drivers are tested just as regularly as their vehicles.

Arval PHH, which is UK's largest fleet and fuel management company, employs 1,100 people at its offices in Windmill Hill, Swindon.

It has reported receiving dozens of enquiries from businesses unaware of the full level of responsibility towards their company drivers.

To balance this, it has started to recommend that fleet bosses bring in a "Driver MOT" for all people who drive for the company, whether regularly or on an ad hoc basis.

Arval PHH's head of market analysis Mike Waters said: "Under the current legislation, companies and managers are responsible not only for the fitness and suitability of their company vehicles but also that of the men and women who drive them.

"Those who drive only sporadically may be more of a concern because they have less experience of business mot-oring.

"In the event of an accident during a bus-iness trip, if the employee is found to be at fault, his or her company can be held liable and could face civil and even criminal prosecution. That means the possibility of significant fines or even custodial sentence for company directors."

Arval PHH has produced a list of areas to check:

Does the employee have a valid and appropriate licence?

Is the employee aware of company health and safety policy?

Does the employee's risk history suggest he or she would benefit from attitude or road driver training?

Does the employee know how to carry out routine car safety checks?

Does the employee know the law on mobile phone use in the car?

Does anything in the employee's medical history affect driving ability?

Does the driver's eyesight pass requirements of the Highway Code?

Mr Waters said: "This list is not an exhaustive one, because every company is different and may need to check other areas of employee health and safety.

"However, developing and using such a checklist can help to generate an audit trail proving the company's commitment to managing driver risk."