Grey fleet drivers, who use their private car for business use, report a lack of oversight, according to research conducted by training and compliance firm TTC.
49% of grey fleet drivers reported that their employer had never checked their driving licence, while 31% said they had not been asked to show an MOT certificate for their car.
Only 35% of drivers surveyed by TTC had been asked by their employer to show evidence of motor insurance, which employers are required to verify under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
14 million UK drivers regularly use their personal car for work-related trips.
David Marsh, CEO at TTC Group, said: “The fact that so few employees are ever asked to provide driver and vehicle validation is truly alarming.
“Especially coupled with the fact that a fifth of all the 70,000 driver validation checks we carried out on behalf of clients resulted in failure.
“The current economic climate is placing untold pressures on UK businesses and time is money. As more deaths occur from at-work road trips than at the workplace itself, however, prioritising time to carry out necessary checks to ensure the legality of drivers and their vehicles could make a huge difference.
“Businesses who take control of their grey fleets can also minimise the financial and operational risks associated with collisions, convictions and driving bans.”
78% of surveyed grey fleet drivers also reported they had not been provided with a driving for work policy, which is also a legal requirement.
Companies who are found to not have a driving for work policy can be fined, or risk prosecution.
Just 18% of respondents said they had been offered driver training, and 11% said they had been asked to install a company-issued telematics system.
Marsh said: “Whilst there are many businesses proactively validating drivers, monitoring their on-road behaviours and providing personalised training to improve safety, it’s clear many businesses are putting employees and other road users at risk.
“By raising awareness of driver safety and compliance for employees at all levels, businesses can reduce their risk profile while protecting their employees and other road users.”
