The process is very complex, in part, due to the variety of tasks involved. Far from focusing only on maintaining a fleet or just handling the Human Resources (HR) side of hiring drivers, truck fleet management encompasses all aspects of fleet operation.
For the fleet manager looking to improve their strategy, the following must-have tips will help you hone in on the methods that offer the most benefit to your business.
Whether you manage a small fleet of five vehicles or a much larger operation with hundreds of trucks, trailers, and more, these tips will give you real-life applications and a focus on overall strategic improvements.
- GOOD STRATEGY MEANS IMPECCABLE RECORD KEEPING
Record keeping is a central component in trucking management. Without quality record keeping, it is impossible to track and act on collected data. Recordkeeping includes all of the following comprehensive components:
-A detailed record of all maintenance performed on each vehicle in the fleet.
-Proper documentation for any hired driver, including proof of a valid driver's license with appropriate class requirements, pre-employment drug and alcohol screening, and a DOT medical card
-A record of driving routes, idle times, driver idle times, and current vehicle locations.
-Driver hour records
-All security related data and any security incidents recorded.
-Record keeping is more than just law enforcement. When quality records are kept, data is much easier to access, analyze, and act on.
- FIND A TRUSTED PARTNER FOR YOUR ACQUISITION
While truck fleet management has a strong focus on maintenance, record keeping, and other ongoing tasks, it all starts with acquiring the right fleet vehicles. An improved procurement process will lead to greater efficiency throughout the entire truck fleet management life cycle.
-Find a trusted partner that offers all of the following:
-High quality truck inventory backed by trusted manufacturers
-A company that offers maintenance options for spare parts and fleet vehicles
-A partner that provides in-house financing with the flexibility to choose to buy or lease based on your business needs.
-A team focused on superior customer service
Fleet maintenance becomes less complex when you start with the right vehicles. Equipping your fleet with high-quality trucks backed by trusted manufacturers and a reliable sales team will help reduce the cost of vehicle repairs and replacement. This improves the efficiency of your equipment while contributing to higher profitability for your business.
- RISK MANAGEMENT IS A CRITICAL TASK
Protecting your trucking compliance is possible through proper risk management. Without an established risk management strategy, you will only react to problems that arise.
A proactive risk management strategy should include all of the following key points highlighted below:
-Ongoing Safety Training - Drivers should always have access to proper safety training to reduce their risk on the road. This includes everything from driver safety to training on the use of emergency equipment.
-Clearly Defined Written Policies - Take the time to ensure your truck fleet management strategy includes a detailed approach to developing safety policies. These policies must be easily accessible, understood by all employees, and constantly circulated among staff.
-Vehicle Safety Management - While driver safety is critical to risk management, fleet managers must also focus on the safety of each vehicle in their fleet. This includes planned maintenance, scheduled inspections, and proper documentation.
- COST SAVING MUST INVOLVE AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
It may seem best to focus on one aspect of trucking accounting management as the key to reducing costs; however, cost savings imply an integrated approach. For this reason, developing a robust strategy that encompasses all aspects of truck fleet management is critical to successfully reducing costs.
Some key areas to focus on strategically include the following:
-Reduced acquisition costs by choosing the resources ideal vehicles for your fleet
-Higher fuel efficiency
-Proactive maintenance to avoid costly downtime
-Vehicle tracking aimed at improving drivers' routes
- THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY CAN MAKE TRACKING AND RECORD KEEPING EASIER
The good news for fleet managers today is that technology is helping alleviate common pain points in tracking and record keeping. Gone are the days of manually logging each data point.
An important record-keeping task that has benefited from technology is keeping an hours-of-service (HOS) record. Following a mandate that took effect in December 2017, HOS can be registered electronically through a compatible Electronic Recording Device (ELD). This not only streamlines record keeping, but also contributes to better risk management by reducing instances of dangerous driving caused by exhausted drivers.
GPS tracking also improves many aspects of record keeping, including all of the following:
-Real-time monitoring of each vehicle in the fleet
-Test points for on-time deliveries
-The ability to send ETAs to customers without interrupting drivers
Trucking Operations constantly evolving to provide better insight into truck fleet management. For this reason, it is important to consider where technology can improve the management process. From keeping track of maintenance records to tracking drivers in real time, technology can help improve efficiency in the management process.
A key when evaluating technology options is to focus on manual tasks that can be automated. Not only does this save time, but automating data tracking can help reduce human error, leading to more accurate results.
IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUCK FLEET STARTS WITH ITS PARTNERS
The management of the truck fleet depends largely on the partnerships created. From the procurement process to ongoing fleet maintenance, choosing the right team to work with is critical to implementing a quality strategy. JRS Enterprises is proud to be a partner of choice in fleet management.
From choosing the right trucks for your fleet to ensuring maintenance tasks are handled promptly, our team is committed to quality customer service and helping you with your truck fleet management tasks. We have locations throughout the United States.