Last minute entries for the inaugural Van Excellence Driver of the Year are being called for by organisers.
There’s been a flood of entrants so far for the event that takes place on 10 July at Bruntingthorpe Proving Grounds in Leicestershire.
The event is being organised by Freight Transport Association (FTA) and contestants will have to undergo five tasks to test their skills.
They are:
- Driving – behaviour and economy will be monitored
- Maneuvering
- Operational/legal test
- Pre-use defects check
Van drivers urged to enter testing event
The FTA’s head of vans, Mark Cartwright, said: “This first event provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognise fantastic drivers who share our roads. Many have entered this competition which indicates how they take their responsibilities.”
He added that van drivers are part of a community that is often maligned and the FTA Van Excellence Driver of the Year is an event aiming to put that right.
The event itself is open to operators who are accredited to Van Excellence and they have been contacted and encouraged to put their best driver forward for the event.
Van Excellence will test a range of skills
The range of tests are designed to challenge the van driver’s abilities on a range of skills which include having an economic fuel run, behaviour and risk awareness. There’s also a knowledge test and a pre-use defects test too.
Last-minute entries are still being accepted on a first-come first-served basis and any accredited Van Excellence operator wanting to take part should email for entry details to mcartwright@fta.co.uk.
More information about the event cab be found at the driveit@ website.
‘Van excellence’ is an initiative led by the industry which intends to raise brand operator standards and compliance and to celebrate the best that the van industry offers.