Fleet operators are being urged to tighten up driver checks and maintenance protocols as the number of motorists caught driving unroadworthy vehicles has surged by more than 50% in just 12 months.
New data from the RAC and DVLA shows that 13,109 drivers received penalty points for using vehicles in an unsafe condition in 2024 — a sharp rise from 8,164 the year before. Tyres were the most common fault, accounting for 8,945 endorsements, but defects with brakes and steering systems also rose significantly, indicating wider issues around vehicle upkeep.
For fleets, the implications go far beyond fines. Downtime, compliance breaches, insurance headaches, and legal liability all come into play. And when these failures are preventable, there’s no excuse.
Proper fleet management starts with proactive checks
Daily walkaround inspections, scheduled maintenance reminders, and telematics-based condition monitoring are no longer ‘nice to haves’ — they’re the baseline for fleet policy. Vehicles driven for business use need to be in roadworthy condition every single day, regardless of who owns them.
Driver car checks: what you don’t inspect can fail
Too often, businesses rely on drivers to spot and report issues — but the data suggests that’s not happening. A bald tyre or faulty brake isn’t just an MOT fail — it’s a potential insurance void and a hazard to everyone on the road. Employers need to train drivers on what to look for, and give them easy tools to report faults before keys are handed over.
Licence checks are more than a tick-box exercise
A valid licence today doesn’t guarantee a clean record tomorrow. Endorsements for defective vehicles are rising, and if a fleet driver racks up points unnoticed, it could expose the business to serious risk. Regular automated driver licence checking should be standard for all fleet and grey fleet users.
Duty of Care: you’re still responsible
Under UK law, businesses have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of employees while at work — and that includes behind the wheel. Whether a vehicle is owned, leased, or part of the grey fleet, if it’s being used for work purposes, the employer has a duty of care to ensure it’s safe, legal, and roadworthy.
A surge in unroadworthy vehicle offences is much more than just a headline. Fleets that fail to act now risk more than breakdowns and downtime. They risk breaking the law and reputational injury.
“A robust policy on driver checks, licence monitoring, and vehicle condition is essential for all fleets,” commented Mike Manners, Managing Director of CBVC Vehicle Management. “Maintaining your fleet in a roadworthy state is not only good for business and operational efficiency, but also protects the business from potential persecution while maintaining the safety of those people around company vehicles.”
Photo credit: RAC
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