BVRLA News, July/August 2013

July/August 2013

www.bvrla.co.uk

BVRLA News The bimonthly newsletter of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association

Driver CPC: Minister grants exemption for most industry drivers The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that it will relax the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence requirements, exempting most rental and leasing staff. The BVRLA has welcomed the announcement, which it believes provides the clarity and certainty its members need.

Having reviewed the association’s concerns that Driver CPC rules would hit rental and leasing staff for whom they were never intended, Transport Minister Stephen Hammond has made changes that take most sector employees out of scope.

The exemption covers drivers travelling within 50 kilometres of their base without passengers or goods, not operating for hire or reward, and driving as an incidental part of their job.

This means that most rental and leasing staff driving minibuses or commercial vehicles between branches, collecting or delivering them, or taking them to roadworthiness tests will not have to get the certificate.

Hammond said: “Driver training is essential to ensure that lorry and bus drivers keep their skills up to scratch and keep our roads safe. But making the training compulsory for those who only drive HGVs or minibuses over short distances is costly and time-consuming.

That is why we are making these exemptions, which will reduce costs and administration for businesses.”

BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said: “These changes represent a victory for

common sense and will ensure that the rental industry in particular can continue to provide consumers and businesses with cost-effective, convenient access to minibuses and commercial vehicles up and down the country,” As it is unlikely that the required legislative changes will be made before the Driver CPC becomes mandatory for minibus drivers in September, the Department has written to both the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the Police to advise them of the changes being made to the law. VOSA has confirmed that it will not penalise rental and leasing drivers for relevant Driver CPC infringements while the law is being amended.

In the light of the Transport Minister’s announcement, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is revising its guidelines.

The agency will also be publishing advice about acquired rights for category D(101) and D1(101) drivers.

The BVRLA’s Legal and Policy Director, Jay Parmar, said: “While we welcome the announcement, it is disappointing that the department did not agree to increase the distance to 70km, as we would have wished, to give firms greater flexibility.”

He added: “We will continue to work with the DfT in implementing the changes and will produce guidance for BVRLA members, but if you have any questions or need any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.” u Contact Jay Parmar, jay@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545706

Website goes live with a fresh, news-led look The BVRLA’s dynamic new website gives users quick and easy access to advice and information on vehicle rental and leasing. page 3 CV Informer reveals the sector’s true value The first report to detail the contribution of the commercial vehicle rental and leasing sector to the UK’s road transport industry is out. page 4 Conference theme: Future of Mobility Discover the topics for this year’s conference, which has attracted key sponsors BMW, CAP and Trak Global. page 5 Rental brokers can now join the BVRLA A new membership category will see rental brokers joining the BVRLA for the first time. page 7 Keeping the customer satisfied A raft of consumer legislation is set to be implemented in the near future. Find out what you need to know. page 8 RISC gets a makeover The BVRLA has rebranded its RISC service and created a set of display materials for use on websites and in branches. page 12

• Promoting responsible road transport since 1967 •

The BVRLA returns to London’s West End on 6 March 2014 for its Annual Dinner – The Big Event!

It is the only evening to bring the whole industry together – last year more than 900 people, representing over 100 companies, enjoyed top-class food and entertainment at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

Why not bring your clients and business partners to this must-attend occasion, widely acclaimed as the friendliest, funniest and most looked-forward-to event on the rental and leasing industry calendar?

As well as providing an unrivalled opportunity to network amongst your peers, you can join with us in recognising some of our industry’s most talented individuals and unsung heroes.

The Big Event comes at typically great BVRLA value, with tickets costing just £215 (+VAT) and tables of ten £2,150 (+VAT).

To book your places, and for details of accommodation options, contact membership administr ator June Dyer: Tel 01494 545714

Email june@bvrla.co.uk

London Hilton on Park Lane 6 March 2014

Comment BVRLA website goes live with news-led look

Change is good, they say – at least that’s what I’ve been telling everyone, having overseen the launch of a new BVRLA website, a redesign of our Weekly Update emails and, as you can see, a ‘refresh’ of BVRLA News itself.

The DfT has also changed – changed its mind about the excessively wide scope of Driver CPC. Many people will have a lot less red tape to cope with now that the BVRLA’s case for an exemption covering most staff in our sector has been accepted.

Carmakers, too, are embracing the change embodied by our new, efficient, safety recall notification system, ReCare.

Finally, RISC has been rebranded with a striking black and yellow logo: reassuring rental staff everywhere and sending a strong warning to any potential fraudsters who come their way.

Toby Poston Editor

Toby Poston, toby@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545700

Production Manager

Steven Prizeman, steven@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545710

Advertising

Nora Leggett, nora@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545713 © Copyright BVRLA 2013 BVRLA News articles may be used copyright free by members provided that an acknowledgement is given.

BVRLA River Lodge, Badminton Court Amersham Buckinghamshire HP7 0DD T 01494 434747 F 01494 434499 E info@bvrla.co.uk W www.bvrla.co.uk Honorary Life President Freddie Aldous Chairman

Peter Cakebread

Vice Chairman

Neil Cunningham

Honorary Treasurer Brian Back Chief Executive

Gerry Keaney

BVRLA News | July/August 2013

The BVRLA has launched its dynamic new website, which uses a news-led format to give users quick and convenient access to advice and information about the association and the vehicle rental and leasing industry.

The site takes advantage of some of the latest web trends and technology to keep members informed of the BVRLA’s latest industry guidance, events and services, as well as developments in its campaigning and consulting with government.

Users should find a massive improvement in accessibility, with the new site optimised for multiple web browsers and a range of desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile devices.

“This dynamic and modern website reflects the association’s breadth of expertise, the activities it undertakes and the services it offers,” said Chief Executive Gerry Keaney.

Members’ employees will be able to register for their own individual login that will give them access to a range of member-only fact sheets, publications and events.

“We have worked hard to create a site that is easy to navigate, has a consistent look and feel and that is totally focused on the needs of our members and their customers.”

The new site has lots of advice for rental and leasing customers, including a member directory, guidance on the association’s fair wear and tear standard, why they should pick a BVRLA member and how to access its conciliation service.

The new BVRLA site was developed with the help of web developers Boffin Lab and design agency Howell Penny. u The BVRLA website can be found at www.bvrla.co.uk

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CV Informer reveals sector’s true value The first CV Informer report has been published, detailing the contribution of the commercial vehicle rental and leasing sector to the road transport industry.

The report, a joint venture between the BVRLA and Road Transport Media, provides what is intended to be a comprehensive and authoritative annual overview of the sector and its main participants.

Introducing the launch issue, BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said: “The road transport industry has faced challenges in recent years, including a deep recession, soaring fuel prices and the adoption of significant new legislation. This has also impacted commercial vehicle rental and leasing, and as a result we have experienced consolidation in the sector and also greater levels of competition.

“This increase in competition has, of course, been good news for customers, driving even more innovation in the form of added-value services – from flexible rental and telematics to carsharing and carbon audits.

“This report demonstrates the advantages of working with a BVRLA rental or leasing company. I estimate that 70% of the companies listed are members.

Joining the BVRLA isn’t a PR exercise, members have chosen to be part of a progressive, collaborative trade body that maintains a mandatory code of conduct, a stringent quality assurance programme and a free conciliation service.”

Keaney pointed out that the BVRLA’s campaigning initiatives, supported by its members, had benefited the road transport industry as a whole.

From the past 12 months alone he cited how the BVRLA helped negotiate the introduction of a cost-neutral lorry road user charge, a simplified EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval regime and an exemption from Driver CPC requirements for transport workers who only drive commercial vehicles as an incidental part of their job. u CV Informer was published as a supplement with Motor Transport magazine and can be read online here.

ReCare gathers manufacturer support ReCare, the free-to-use online vehicle safety recall system, is gaining rapid adoption within the fleet sector, with around 20 leasing companies, several major daily rental operators and a number of large corporate fleets signed-up to the scheme.

Three leading manufacturers – Ford, Kia and Volvo – have already decided to submit vehicle recall information to ReCare, with others poised to follow.

“Our members recognise the potential that ReCare offers for delivering road safety benefits while cutting administration,” said Gerry Keaney, Chief Executive of the BVRLA. “We have growing support within the fleet industry and we are confident that this will lead to wider adoption among manufacturers.”

The BVRLA has now also written to the chief executives of the motor manufacturers, encouraging them to sign up. This has helped galvanise further interest and a series of followup meetings has been scheduled.

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More than one million vehicles were subject to a vehicle safety recall notification in the UK in 2012, in 222 separate recall incidents, leaving rental and leasing companies with the task of managing a disparate range of paper and digital recall notifications from motor manufacturers. The vast majority of these notifications came within three years of the vehicle’s first registration. As BVRLA members’ fleets tend to be under three years old they are affected by a significant proportion of such recalls.

To ease the administrative burden, ReCare was developed by the BVRLA in conjunction with its technology partner Ebbon-Dacs.

For subscribing fleet operators, ReCare identifies individual vehicles that are subject to safety recall notices; for participating motor manufacturers, it delivers regular reports on which registered keepers have been notified. The system thereby helps both operators and manufacturers by making this vital

information available from a single online source, cutting the time and cost involved in processing recalls.

ReCare is also being used by vehicle provenance check providers CDL Vehicle Information Services, Experian and HPI to ensure that VINbased recall data from manufacturers matches registration numbers provided by fleet operators. ReCare also has the potential to cover nonsafety recalls.

The BVRLA’s partner in ReCare, Ebbon-Dacs, specialises in hosted web technology solutions. The company provides business process automation to a wide range of automotive businesses through a variety of business tools, including the Leaselink e-procurement system. u Further information about ReCare can be found on the BVRLA website: www.bvrla.co.uk Contact Jay Parmar, jay@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545706

BVRLA News | July/August 2013

Industry Conference has future focus The Future of Mobility is one of the key themes at this year’s BVRLA Industry Conference, which will take place at the Motor Heritage Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire on Thursday 5 December.

An interactive panel session will explore changing attitudes to car use and ownership and their implications for the vehicle rental and leasing sector. In particular it will look at the impact of new ‘connected car’ technology and the different models of mobility services that are appearing.

“Leading vehicle manufacturers and transport operators around the world have identified car sharing and mobility services as a key trend,”

said BVRLA Head of Communications Toby Poston. “Our industry is wellpositioned to take a leading role in delivering these new services on a personal and corporate level and our panel will outline some of the opportunities for BVRLA members, large and small.”

Speakers already confirmed for this session include Professor Colin Tourick, Visiting Professor of Buckingham University Business School and Sarwant Singh, Senior Partner at Frost & Sullivan, which holds an annual conference on the subject of Urban Mobility.

Once again, the BVRLA has also drawn together an agenda of hot industry topics and key operational

issues, which will be covered and debated by leading experts in their fields. The event will also feature a keynote address from the BVRLA’s new Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney, who will give delegates a round-up of the association’s current priorities and an insight into its plans for 2014 and beyond.

The BVRLA Industry Conference is a regular sell-out and this year it is being generously supported by BMW, CAP and Trak Global. u To register your interest in this event, please contact Fran Hampson.

Contact Fran Hampson, fran@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545703

Industry Conference 2012: a tough act to follow

PwC explores government/fleet cooperation With a fleet of 2.8 million cars, vans and trucks and an informed customer base making rational business decisions, the vehicle rental and leasing sector represents a powerful ally in delivering the government’s transport and emissions targets.

This was one of the conclusions of a recent workshop hosted by the BVRLA and consultants PwC, which included representatives from across government, the fleet sector,

BVRLA News | July/August 2013

research organisations and vehicle manufacturers.

The London-based event, held in July, was aimed at spreading awareness of the size and scope of the fleet leasing market, assessing the impact of the government’s tax regime and exploring ways for policymakers and industry to work together more productively.

“Although we had a wide range of stakeholders present, there was

widespread agreement on some key issues,” said BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney. “We all want road transport to be affordable and sustainable, and believe that there should be incentives to use lower-emitting vehicles, but we recognise that the government needs to protect its tax revenues.

Our sector buys around 50% of all new vehicles registered each year, and if we can work more closely with government, I think we can achieve all these goals.” u

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...a new beginning.

DVLA takes licensing further online Things are changing at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) as it works to modernise while cutting costs.

Central to the agency’s plans is the closure of its local office network, estimated to save it £26m a year.

The programme is well under way, with many services being centralised at the DVLA’s Swansea headquarters or transferred to the Post Office. By the end of the year the DVLA will: ❱ remove the insurance check at the point of vehicle licensing. It will no longer be necessary to

send insurance policies to the DVLA each year and when new vehicles are registered manually. ❱ remove the address from the digital tachograph card used to record bus and lorry drivers’ hours. Professional drivers will no longer need to apply for a change of address and return the old address card. ❱ remove time limits from Statutory Off-Road Notifications (SORNs).

By the end of 2014 the DVLA will introduce: ❱ an electronic V5C vehicle registration document. Fleets

registering new vehicles will be able to get an electronic data file rather than a paper document.

A paper V5C can still be supplied, if required. ❱ bulk relicensing for all vehicles.

Fleets will be able to relicense multiple vehicles, regardless of their age, type or tax class.

The BVRLA intends to work with members and the DVLA to develop these services over the next year. u Details of the forthcoming changes to DVLA services can be found on the BVRLA website: www.bvrla.co.uk

IASB accountancy changes ‘will not undermine leasing’

Rental brokers can now join

Following a detailed review of the International Accounting Standards Board’s proposals on lease accounting, the BVRLA believes that leasing and rental will retain their status as essential forms of vehicle finance.

The BVRLA has launched a new category of membership: Corporate Rental Broker. It will be available to rental brokers who broker on behalf of BVRLA members to corporate customers only.

The IASB wants to bring all leased assets onto the balance sheet, giving a more complete picture of a business’s financial position.

If introduced, its proposals would require all publically quoted companies leasing assets – whether computers, vehicles or property – to account for them, giving greater transparency to investors.

This ‘right of use’ model differs substantially from the current standard, which does not require operating leases to be reported in company accounts. Under the new model, a lessee (leasing customer) would identify the right to use a leased asset on its balance sheet and incur a corresponding liability for future rental payments.

Leases incapable of lasting more than 12 months will fall outside the scope of the new rules. The IASB’s decision to remove the need to report excess mileage, end-of-lease damage

BVRLA News | July/August 2013

and maintenance charges will help minimise much of the accounting burden the BVRLA had highlighted.

The BVRLA believes there is still room to simplify the rules, and will suggest how in its response to the IASB. One recommendation is to exempt leased items that can be substituted by a leasing company without its customer’s consent – by supplying a car that differs from the model originally specified, for example.

Even if a company is affected, putting leased vehicles onto a firm’s balance sheet will not erode the key benefits of leasing, according to Jay Parmar, the BVRLA’s Legal and Policy Director.

“Leasing has proven its value, sheltering companies from the risk of fluctuating vehicle values and freeingup precious working capital that would otherwise have been spent buying an asset,” he said. “Our members already advise customers on how to reduce fleet costs and emissions and I am confident they can add even more value by helping them with their reporting requirements.” u Further information on lease accounting can be found on the BVRLA website: www.bvrla.co.uk

“We believe this will be an excellent opportunity for the BVRLA to manage the whole supply chain and improve standards,” said Membership Development Manager David Hanson.

“We have developed a Code of Conduct and inspection process which will focus on transparency and clarity of information provided during the booking process to ensure the customer experience is hassle-free regardless of the booking method chosen.”

The association is targeting the larger corporate rental brokers in the first instance and looking to create a framework for broker business.

The BVRLA believes that customers are more likely to buy if a supplier is a member of an appropriate trade association, especially one that sets such high standards as the BVRLA. u Contact David Hanson, david@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545705

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Keeping the customer satisfied The government says that confident consumers are vital for building a stronger economy. This is the thinking behind its plans for simplifying consumer law and enhancing customer protection. Here, the BVRLA’s Legal and Policy team explains how those plans could affect vehicle rental and leasing.

Consumer Rights Bill

The current draft of the Consumer Rights Bill consolidates existing legislation, enhancing and simplifying people's rights. If enacted, consumers would be able to: ❱ return faulty goods and get a full refund within 30 days. ❱ demand that substandard services be redone (or get a price reduction). ❱ get a partial refund after one failed repair of faulty goods (or one faulty replacement).

BVRLA view Responding to a consultation on the bill last year, the BVRLA called for the government not to unreasonably restrict the number of repairs that rental and leasing firms can make on faulty vehicles before a customer can demand a full refund. It also said that purely cosmetic defects should not result in a full refund. The bill is currently out for consultation until September and the association will raise these points again.

Collective Redress

The European Commission has published a series of common, non-binding principles for collective redress mechanisms in EU member states. Collective redress would, in essence, allow a group of consumers to unite in bringing court action against a company. For example, if a group of consumers felt a particular charge was illegal and won a collective redress case against a rental company, all the consumers bringing the case would be compensated.

This type of legal dispute is commonplace in the USA (where it is known as a ‘class action’) and has proven very costly for companies, both in compensation and brand damage.

Although the Commission’s ideas on collective redress are merely a recommendation that the UK government is not obliged to implement, they could influence it. A later legislative initiative from the Commission remains a possibility.

BVRLA view The BVRLA has been working closely with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and has previously responded to consultations on the subject strongly objecting to the principle of collective redress: it makes it too easy for claimants with weak cases to sue, obliging defendants to pay to defend the action or settle out of court to avoid legal costs and protect their reputation.

The association will monitor the department’s response.

European ADR

The European Commission believes that well-functioning Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) procedures will encourage consumers to seek solutions to problems they encounter when buying products and services in the EU’s ‘single market’.’

Because all EU consumers are entitled to equal access to consumer redress, the Commission believes that ADR should be available for all types of consumer disputes in all EU member states. In June the Commission therefore approved legislation obliging member states to implement ADR by July 2015.

BVRLA view The BVRLA responded to last year’s call for evidence from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and will be working closely with the department as it implements ADR. It will also try and ensure that the BVRLA’s own conciliation service and the European Car Rental Conciliation Service are recognised as ADR procedures under the new regime.

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BVRLA News | July/August 2013

Committee catch-up The BVRLA’s committees are the association’s expert advisers. A hugely experienced group of vehicle rental and leasing practitioners, they set aside commercial rivalry for the good of the industry, helping to shape the BVRLA’s policies on legislation, communication, and products and services.

Meeting three or four times a year, each committee contains a representative group of members from a wide cross-section of BVRLA members. This is what they have been up to so far in 2013: Rental Committee

DVLA: Working with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to implement changes relating to the distribution of the tax disc and the abolition of the driving licence counterpart.

Raising standards: Improving the clarity and transparency of information provided on websites at the point of reservation/booking.

Sustainability: Promoting car rental as a more sustainable alternative to car ownership as part of the government’s ‘integrated transport ‘solution.

Rental brokers: Encouraging the creation of a new category of BVRLA membership for rental brokers.

Credit cards: Engaging with credit card companies to review how their rules could better reflect how the car rental business works.

“We have new consumer rights legislation on the horizon, major reorganisation at the DVLA and some key messages to get through to government regarding the sustainability of car rental as an alternative to car ownership,” says Committee Chair Robert Shaw, Operations Director at Europcar. “We are also introducing a new category of membership for rental brokers, which I hope will improve cooperation between the two sectors.”

Leasing Broker Committee Consumer credit regulation: The committee helped ensure that leasing brokers will be classified as ‘lower risk’ when the Financial Conduct Authority’s new regime for consumer credit licensing is introduced next year, meaning less of a compliance burden.

10 years of BVRLA leasing brokers: In June leasing brokers celebrated 10 years of BVRLA membership with lunch at the Landmark Hotel in London.

Enhancing the benefits of BVRLA membership: The committee is looking at a revised membership fee structure and ways of delivering even more value to members.

Committee Chair Paul Huxford, Managing Director of PHVC Vehicle Management, says: “One of our priorities for the next year will be getting to grips with the introduction of the new Financial Conduct Authority, which will have a major impact on the leasing broker sector.”

BVRLA News | July/August 2013

Leasing and Fleet Management Committee Lease accounting: The committee has been assessing the implications for its customers of the International Accounting Standards Board’s proposals and will be planning a strategy for explaining the changes.

ReCare: The committee has been looking at ways to encourage manufacturers to take up the BVRLA’s freeof-charge electronic vehicle recall notification system.

Oxford Economics: Research published earlier this year set out the contribution of the vehicle leasing and rental sector to the UK economy. The committee will be looking at how this can be used to influence the business car tax regime.

DVLA: With the DVLA’s local office network closing at the end of the year, the committee has been trying to ensure that the agency’s new processes do not adversely affect customers.

New Committee Chair Keith Allen, Managing Director of ARI, says: “From accounting changes to vehicle safety recalls and the company car tax regime, our committee is tackling big issues from all sides. We need to ensure that our sector’s voice is heard and that it is business as usual as far as our customers are concerned.”

Commercial Vehicle Committee

LCV Type Approval: Helping produce guidance on the new process for approving modifications to light commercial vehicles, which was introduced in April.

Why Use a BVRLA Member? Assisting with a document that explains the key reasons to rent or lease a vehicle from a BVRLA member.

CV Informer: The first ever in-depth assessement of the contribution of commercial vehicle rental and leasing to the UK economy.

VOSA van strategy: The BVRLA and the committee will be working closely with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency on its plans for the van sector over the next year.

Committee Chair Andrew Morley, Sales Director of Prohire, says: “We are one of the only trade bodies to have a mandatory Code of Conduct and we back this up with a strong Quality Assurance programme. We need to make more noise about this and the extra peace of mind it offers to our customers. As a start we will be working with VOSA to get an official endorsement of the way our sector sets and maintains its own high standards.”

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Online recruitment specialist Jobco-op Automotive will become available through the BVRLA website in August, providing access to more than 13,000 pre-checked CVs from automotive industry professionals.

Members will be provided with a recruitment service that includes the support of a dedicated account manager, at preferential rates negotiated by the BVRLA. Nora Leggett, Head of Member Services at the BVRLA, said: “The service will provide members with a full recruitment facility that covers employees at all levels in daily rental, commercial vehicle and contract hire businesses.”

“When we ask members where they would most like to receive help with their businesses, recruitment is a topic that is frequently mentioned. We have included the ability to advertise jobs on our website for some time but this new deal with Jobco-op Automotive is, we believe, a step forward and should be welcomed by members. It provides the means to handle rental and leasing recruitment

Jobco-op: putting members in touch with thousands of automotive professionals

in a fast, easy, professional and highly cost-effective manner.”

Jobco-op Automotive was launched in 2012 as an alternative to traditional motor industry recruitment, basing its business around an advanced e-commerce platform to minimise costs and increase the effectiveness of the recruitment process. The five directors involved in the company have extensive experience of all parts of the motor industry, including the dealer, fleet and rental sectors Sales Director Derek Webb said: “We are very pleased to be working

with the BVRLA on this project. What we are offering to members is the means to make localised recruitment practices much more effective at a much lower cost, as well as helping to standardise recruitment procedures for larger rental and leasing companies that operate on a decentralised, nationwide basis.” u Contact Nora Leggett, nora@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545713 To view rental and leasing industry jobs advertised on the BVRLA website, see www.bvrla.co.uk

RISC refreshes brand to give clear message The BVRLA has rebranded its RISC service and created a set of display materials for subscribing members to use on their websites, publications and in branches.

The Rental Industry Secure Customer system (RISC) is available exclusively to BVRLA members.

Intended to assist in the customer qualification process for rental customers, RISC flags up renters considered to pose a high financial risk, having breached terms and conditions of rental on previous occasions.

Information is contributed to RISC by participating rental companies – making it one of the few data protection-compliant ways for them to share their records. RISC currently

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To subscribe to RISC or for further information, contact BVRLA Member Services Administrator Rob Burford.

Contact Rob Burford, rob@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545702

holds data on more than 10,000 notifications of ‘high risk’ renters.

The new RISC logo and related counter displays are available for subscribers to reproduce to inform customers of how participating companies are safeguarded by the scheme.

BVRLA members can participate in RISC at no extra charge and can access the system via a web portal or web-based counter software. u

Existing RISC subscribers can download the new logo and counter displays from the BVRLA website: www.bvrla.co.uk

This company subs cribes to the Rental Industry Secure Cus (RISC) system, whic tomer h may inform our decision

on whether to rent In the event that you . breach your terms and conditions, act manner or use threa in a fraudulent tening or abusive behaviour when deali we reser ve the right ng with our staff, to add details of your may affect your abilit rental to the RISC system, which y to rent from othe r companies in the future.

Details are held on the RISC system for a period of five years .

RISC allows us to legally share risk information with othe r users.

RISC is maintained by the

British Vehicle Rental and

Leasing Association (BVRLA ) and registered under the

Data Protection Act.

BVRLA News | July/August 2013

Photo: ollyy/Shutterstock.com

BVRLA offers effective, low-cost recruitment

A great fit for

Volkswagen

Carol Kirk, Contract Hire and Leasing Manager (North) at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles completed the BVRLA’s Fleet Consultant Development Programme earlier this year.

BVRLA News spoke to her about its real-world benefits.

What is your role at VWCV? I develop and manage relationships with our supported leasing companies, from the initial consultation, vehicle choice and procurement, right through to supporting vehicles in-life.

Why did you decide to attend the course?

We always adopt a consultative approach to sales in Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, believing that it is not enough to simply sell a product without first understanding the customer’s purpose, usage and working requirement of that vehicle.

The Fleet Consultant Development Programme is a great fit as it takes this consultation process a step further, offering an insight into how the leasing industry works with their customers.

What did you expect?

I think I expected to hear some of what I’d heard before on many salestype courses. I also thought I would perhaps have to adapt what I learned to suit the manufacturer perspective.

BVRLA News | July/August 2013

Did it deliver? How? It did deliver and it was very relevant.

Each aspect of fleet policy, procurement and supply was considered, with plenty of opportunity for stimulating debate.

Because the assignments are based on real customer scenarios and require evidence of approach and outcome, the theory is brought to life in real working practice.

Has it changed how you think about the industry / your role?

The programme reinforces just how important it is to approach the process of supplying fleet vehicles in a consultative way, understanding the real needs and challenges an operator has, rather than taking a purely sales-oriented approach.

What elements of the course do you feel would encourage others to attend?

This course isn’t just for the leasing industry and I would suggest that any manufacturer who is serious about developing their fleet sales staff would find this programme hugely beneficial. In addition, the qualification is accredited by the Institute of Leadership & Management, which means professional recognition within our industry. u

Fleet Consultant Development Programme 13-14 November 2013 and 8-9 January 2014 Amersham Our four-day course, delivered in a pair of two-day modules, is aimed at sales and account executives who regularly discuss fleet issues with their customers.

Attendees will come away confident they can advise clients.

The course provides an overview of the new vehicle marketplace, indicating trends in private, business and fleet registrations, including light commercial vehicles. It also covers the market shares of the different methods of acquisition, the organisations and initiatives that drive development of the marketplace, and funding methods.The key benefits are: ❱ an industry-recognised qualification. ❱ encouragement to discuss new and creative solutions. ❱ opportunities for sharing ideas.

To book places, contact Member Services Sales Administrator Fran Hampson.

Contact Fran Hampson, fran@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545703 For further information on BVRLA training, see page 12.

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Ryder puts Fair Wear and Training & Tear Guide for HGVs online seminars The commercial vehicle specialist Ryder has become the first company to license the BVRLA’s digital guide to Fair Wear and Tear for HGVs.

The industry fair wear and tear standard for drivers and operators of contract hire and leased vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gvw

Intended for drivers and operators of contract hire and leased vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (gvw), the guide defines acceptable fair wear and tear for vehicles returned at the end of a lease or finance agreement.

The online publication enables Ryder’s clients to check this industry-standard guidance with ease. It is accessible from most modern web browsers.

It is illustrated with more than 90 photographs showing acceptable fair wear and tear or unacceptable damage, and 16 diagrams setting out the standards applicable to the different ‘zones’ to be found on an HGV – from the cab interior to the

body and the working surfaces.

bvrla.co.uk

Three different types of condition report can be downloaded to help assess a vehicle: one for rigid HGVs, one for tractor units and one for trailers.

The HGV guide complements the guides to Fair Wear and Tear for Cars and Fair Wear and Tear for LCVs. All guides are also available in traditional printed form and can be purchased from the BVRLA as single copies or in bulk. u To license a digital edition for your own company, or to find out more about the BVRLA’s range of Fair Wear and Tear guides, contact Member Services Sales Administrator Fran Hampson, or visit the BVRLA website: www.bvrla.co.uk Contact Fran Hampson, fran@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545703

New members Rental Bath Auto Rentals Kindertons Accident Management (Bath) (Crewe)

Leasing Broker Auric (Northwich) Intelligent Car Leasing (Glasgow) Keyfleet (Blackburn)

Planet Leasing Ltd

(Leigh on Sea)

BVRLA Events Lease Accounting Webinar

9 Oct

Technical and Operational Management Forum

AA, Oldbury

7 Nov

Residual Value and Remarketing Forum

Heritage Motor Centre

19 Nov

BVRLA Industry Conference

Heritage Motor Centre

5 Dec

For enquiries about BVRLA forums, seminars, training and conference, and to book places, contact Member Services Sales Administrator Fran Hampson: fran@bvrla.co.uk, 01494 545703 For enquiries about the BVRLA Annual Dinner and to book places, contact Membership Administrator June Dyer: june@bvrla.co.uk, 01494 545714 Full details of all BVRLA events can be found on our website: www.bvrla.co.uk

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DVLA Updates: BVRLA webinar 10 September: 11am-12pm

The BVRLA is working closely with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) regarding the transfer of services from the DVLA’s network of local offices to its Swansea headquarters and the Post Office.

The Post Office’s enhanced services went live on 24 June and BVRLA members were encouraged to test them to ensure that any problems could be ironed out.

This hour-long BVRLA webinar will update members on these changes and the impact they will have on their businesses. To register, contact Member Services Sales Administrator Fran Hampson.

Contact Fran Hampson, fran@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545703

Want to learn about fair wear and tear for vans?

18 September, 20 November Manheim Commercials, Leeds

This one-day course, aimed at leasing fleet managers and administrators who regularly discuss the condition of vehicles with customers, will enable participants to: ❱ carry out internal and external vehicle appraisals, apply the BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear standard, and understand how it impacts on the vehicle, its saleability and its defleet value. ❱ identify repair methods and appreciate the importance of correct selection. ❱ develop effective communications with customers to limit misunderstandings and resolve problems. ❱ Hold a professional discussion on fair wear and tear issues.

To book a place, or for further information, contact Member Services Sales Administrator Fran Hampson.

Contact Fran Hampson, fran@bvrla.co.uk 01494 545703

BVRLA News | July/August 2013