The Department for Transport has extended the subsidy for fleets wanting to take its SAFED training scheme for van drivers.

The subsidy had been due to be reduced, but will now continue at the present level until the end of September.  Companies with less than 250 employees will pay £100 per driver, and those with 250+ will be charged £150.

“This is the last chance that businesses and organisations with more than 250 employees will be able to get SAFED training at a subsidised rate,” a DfT spokesperson said. 

SAFED currently trains 2,000 van drivers a year in cheaper, greener and safer driving techniques. It is a one-day course combining classroom and on-the-road tuition.  For more information, see the website at www.safed.org.uk.

Meanwhile, van drivers have been given a clear indication that they will have to undergo lifelong learning and obtain vocational qualifications in professional driving.

In the next road safety strategy, which runs until 2020 and aims to make the UK’s roads the safest in the world, the Department for Transport plans to introduce a range of measures including improving training for at-work drivers.  The draft strategy, published last week, invites fleet managers and training providers to put their views forward for consideration on how to best deliver ‘lifelong’ driver training.

The consultation can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/roadsafetyconsultation.