Legal Responsibilities

For Fleet Businesses Owners

Fleet business owners have a duty of care to the drivers they employee and they must ensure that they are provided with a safe working environment, including the provision of safe and roadworthy vehicles.

Indeed, businesses providing cars for use by their employees while at work must adhere to a number of laws and regulations. The Health and Safety Act requires organisations to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees while at work, which includes the vehicles being used.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, organisations also have a responsibility to manage health and safety effectively, which includes a periodical review of the risk assessment procedures to ensure they remain appropriate. Additionally, UK courts now also have greater authority to prosecute businesses under the Health and Safety Offences Act for committing offences such as fitting illegal tyres or faulty brakes, with a maximum penalty of £20,000.

For Drivers

Drivers with illegal tyres face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre. The driver of the car also has the responsibility to ensure that the car, including its tyres, is in a roadworthy condition every time they get behind the wheel. This is regardless of whether the vehicle is owned by the employer, a lease company or a private motorist.