Fleet compliance is the process your business takes to make sure your fleet of vehicles complies with regulations, policies, and standards. This not only applies to your vehicles but your drivers as well, both of which must adhere to strict guidelines at all times, from maintenance and emissions to qualifications and responsible driving.

Compliance regulations are in place to reduce risks and increase the safety of employees, customers, the public, vehicles, and cargo. It also ensures you’re efficient and productive, which saves you money and helps you avoid fines and penalties.

Fleet compliance can be a complex subject that requires diligent care and attention. If your fleet is found to be in breach of regulations, you risk fines, prosecutions, and irreparable damage to your reputation. Here at Fleet Complete, we offer a complete and simple solution to ensure your fleet remains compliant.

In Australia, fleet compliance requirements cover a broad range of regulations designed to ensure the safety, efficiency, and legality of fleet operations. These regulations are overseen by various national and state authorities, with key compliance areas including:

• Vehicle Standards and Maintenance: All vehicles must meet national standards for roadworthiness. Regular inspections, maintenance, and necessary repairs are required to comply with these standards, often documented through maintenance logs.
• Hours of Service (HOS): Regulated by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), HOS rules limit the number of hours a driver can operate a heavy vehicle to prevent fatigue. Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) are increasingly used to monitor compliance.
• Mass, Dimension, and Loading: Compliance with regulations concerning vehicle dimensions and load limits is mandatory. Overloaded or improperly loaded vehicles can lead to fines and increased accident risks.
• Speed Compliance: Speed limiters are required on heavy vehicles, and fleet operators must ensure that drivers comply with posted speed limits to avoid penalties.
• Chain of Responsibility (CoR): Under HVNL, all parties in the transport supply chain share responsibility for ensuring breaches of road transport laws do not occur. This includes packing, loading, moving, and receiving goods.
• Fuel Tax Credits: Businesses must keep accurate fuel records to claim fuel tax credits correctly.

Fleet operators must stay updated on changes to laws and regulations, which can vary between states and territories, to ensure ongoing compliance.

A key part of compliance is keeping detailed and accurate records related to everything from inspection reports to insurance documents. Records act as proof during audits and inspections to show regulators that you’ve done everything you can to ensure compliance. In some instances, the records themselves are part of compliance regulations.

Some of the key records you need to keep include:

• Records of current vehicle registration and insurance policies are mandatory for all fleet vehicles.
• Detailed logs of all maintenance and repair activities performed on each vehicle, including dates, nature of the work, and the person or company performing the service.
• For heavy vehicle operations, drivers must keep logs of their work hours and rest periods. Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) are used for this purpose under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) guidelines.
• Documentation proving that all drivers have the appropriate licenses and any required additional training or certifications for the vehicles they operate or the cargo they handle.
• Records of any accidents or safety incidents involving fleet vehicles, including details of the event, any damages or injuries, and follow-up actions taken.
• Detailed records of fuel purchases and usage for each vehicle, which are necessary for tax purposes and for claiming fuel tax credits.
• Documentation of vehicle loads for compliance with mass, dimension, and loading regulations. This includes weights and measures for each journey.
• Records that demonstrate compliance with the Chain of Responsibility laws, showing that all parties in the supply chain manage safety and compliance risks effectively.
• If applicable, documentation related to environmental compliance measures, such as emissions testing results or participation in environmental improvement programs.

With Fleet Complete, records can be automated to make sure compliance requirements are met and get your drivers on the road quickly and safely.

Fleet Complete provides comprehensive solutions to ensure fleet compliance, including Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) for monitoring hours of service, Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) for maintaining vehicle safety, and GPS tracking for asset management. The platform enhances maintenance scheduling, monitors driver behaviour for safety improvements, and offers detailed reporting for audit readiness. With tools supporting Chain of Responsibility (CoR) compliance and accurate fuel tax credit claims, Fleet Complete not only streamlines fleet management but also significantly reduces compliance burdens. Additionally, customisable alerts and stringent data security measures ensure adherence to regulatory and data protection standards, making it an essential tool for fleet operators.