FORS Audit Prepare - FORS - Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme

STEP 1 – PREPARING FOR AUDIT

Remote audits

FORS offers two types of Bronze audits: on-site and remote.

On-site audit takes place at the operating centre you wish to accredit, remote audit is carried out via a weblink. Guidance on remote audit is available to help assist you through the process.

Remote audits

READ – the FORS Standard

The FORS Standard sets out the requirements you need to meet to attain and maintain your accreditation. Do not forget to read section 2 which includes important information. You must also read the FORS Standard in conjunction with the FORS Accreditation Guide and FORS Terms and Conditions. Click on the link below to access these documents.

WATCH – ‘Going for Bronze’ webinar

If you are preparing for your Bronze audit, the ‘Going for Bronze’ webinar is a great place to start – click below to access the webinar.

Going for Bronze webinar

READ – the most common reasons for audit failures and tips on how to avoid them

Top reasons for audit failures and how to avoid them

Reasons for failure	Tips and guidance Make sure you are able to demonstrate that you have…
D4 – Professional development
Drivers not completing a FORS Professional safety eLearning module within the past 12 months Drivers not completing the FORS Professional Security and Counter Terrorism eLearning module within the past 24 months Managers not completing approved training within the past five years Not producing a Professional Development Plan (PDP) for all staff	Provided evidence that at least 90 per cent of drivers have completed the mandatory training set out at Annex 1 of the FORS Standard A Professional Development Plan (PDP) in place that includes the names of ALL drivers and all other staff involved in the fleet operation *Top tips* Training undertaken can be demonstrated by accessing the FORS Professional training register and downloading the CSV file which lists all qualified personnel. If you want to use the recently launched Training dashboard to evidence how you meet this requirement, make sure you read the full guidance within the dashboard so that you submit accurate training records The PDP and completed training can be evidenced in the same document. Certificates can also be provided at audit to demonstrate that mandatory training has been completed
M8 – Health and safety
Not providing evidence of a Health and Safety policy Not providing all the risk assessments or method statements	Provided evidence of a valid Health and Safety policy Provided evidence of all risk assessments or method statements listed in the FORS Standard *Top tip* Use the checklist provided in Annex 3 of the FORS Standard to ensure you have covered all mandatory risk assessments
V1 -Serviceability and roadworthiness
Not providing a policy to inspect, service and repair vehicles, trailers and specialist equipment Not providing a maintenance planner that shows all planned maintenance for a minimum of six months in advance, including failure for holders of Operator Licences to provide copies of all safety inspections and other legally required documentation Not monitoring maintenance requirements for operators of leased van fleets and relying solely on the service provider	Provided a copy of a policy which meets the demonstration for V1 listed on page 17 of the FORS Standard Provided evidence of a maintenance planner which shows all planned maintenance events for a minimum of six months in advance Planned safety inspections which correspond with the maintenance schedule of Operator Licence holders. Operator Licence holders must also provide evidence of signed maintenance agreements if vehicle maintenance is carried out by an external service provider. All maintenance records reports shall be retained for the periods defined at M1 of the FORS Standard Top tips Ensure that any third-party service provider used supplies service records in a timely manner For Operator Licence holders, make sure you follow the DVSA guidelines for planned maintenance as required in the “Guide to maintaining roadworthiness”
V2 – Daily walkaround checks
Not providing evidence of a robust defect reporting procedure Not providing evidence that reported defects are being repaired	Provided evidence of your daily walkaround and defect reporting system covering all vehicles, trailers and other equipment which meets the demonstration for V2 listed on page 19 of the FORS Standard Provided examples of completed defect reports, including those where defects have been reported, rectified and signed to confirm completion Top tip Make sure you can produce copies of nil defect reports – these must be retained for the periods defined at M1 of the FORS Standard

PREPARE – evidence of how you meet the requirements of the FORS Standard

On the day of the audit, the auditor is required to see evidence of the systems and policies you have in place to manage each of the Bronze requirements set out in the FORS Standard. You will also be asked to demonstrate how you ensure your employees are aware of and adhere to the processes you have in place. Some examples of the type of records you will be asked to share are drivers’ eyesight checks, fitment of vehicle safety equipment, evidence of driver licence checks, policies, risk assessments and vehicle maintenance plans.

To prepare for your audit, we suggest you go through each Bronze requirement and demonstration carefully. We advise that you read the section below for some tips and advice on some key points. However, you must check the FORS Standard in detail to comply with all requirements – remember that mandatory elements are indicated by a ‘shall’. We have also compiled a list of FAQs relating to the FORS Standard version 6 to help you prepare for the audit. To access these FAQs, click here.

Remember to also read the FORS Accreditation Guide and Terms and Conditions so you are aware of what is required of you to achieve and maintain your accreditation.

Management

Are all your policies and procedures in order?

Well written, clear policies and procedures are an essential part of any organisation. They provide framework and structure to your operation and, they must also be effectively communicated to ensure that staff either directly or indirectly involved in the fleet operation are aware and have knowledge of the policies and procedures relevant to the FORS Standard.

Under requirement ‘M1 FORS Documentation’ you must have written policies and procedures. To help ensure you haven’t missed any, a full list of documentation is included at Annex 3 of the FORS Standard. If you are a small operator, you may be able to demonstrate that you meet certain Bronze requirements verbally. Check the table at page 5 of the FORS Standard showing examples of organisation sizes and policy demonstrations required.

What is a policy? A document that determines the rules and strategic direction of the organisation
What is a procedure? A document setting out the detailed steps required to meet the FORS requirement

What should a policy cover?

The purpose and ultimate aim of the document
Its scope and who in the organisation it is relevant to
The actual policy statement – the published statement of intent preferably from the Chief Executive or Managing Director
The different roles and their responsibilities – from top level through to drivers
The different processes and procedures that support the policy
References

Are all your risks assessments in place?

You are required to assess operational and driving at work risks with control measures documented as a procedure, risk assessment or method statement.

Under requirement ‘M8 Health and Safety’, there are eight mandatory operational and driving at work risks.

There are also additional health and safety risks assessments or method statements required where applicable – this means you only need to demonstrate this at audit IF it applies to your operation.

To help ensure you haven’t missed any, refer to the FORS Standard Annex 3.

Check out The FORS Driver Handbook which communicates all FORS documentation as required at M5 and includes a full pack of template policies, procedures and risk assessments as required at Bronze M1 and M8.

How can I meet the ‘M3 Responsible person’ requirement?

There are a number of options available to meet this requirement:

Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence

FORS Professional Fleet Management Essentials (there are two courses; one for HGVs and PCVs and one for cars and vans)

FORS Approved Training course on fleet management

The responsible person is required to be appointed through a job title and named on the organisation chart. The appointed responsible person is an individual with direct accountability for the fleet operation who has continuous and effective control of fleet activities, as detailed below depending on the type of organisation:

If your organisation holds a standard national or international operator licence:
The appointed responsible person shall be the named transport manager. If your organisation declares that there is shared responsibility with direct accountability for the fleet operation with a person not named on the operator licence (eg a director), then all persons with shared responsibility in addition to the named transport manager shall be the responsible persons and all shall undertake the relevant training
If your organisation holds a restricted operator licence:
- The appointed responsible person may be an owner, director, manager, or supervisor depending on the business sector, fleet size and the vehicle type
If your organisation runs a non-operator licensed fleet such as vans, minibuses, cars and motorcycles:
- The appointed responsible person may be an owner, director, manager, or supervisor depending on the business sector, fleet size and the vehicle type

Operator licence awareness courses delivered by professional bodies that are referenced in the Senior Traffic Commissioner Statutory Documents 1 and 3 are automatically FORS Approved: These professional bodies are:

British Association of Removers
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
Confederation of Passenger Transport
Logistics UK
Institute of Road Transport Engineers
Institute of Transport Administrators
Road Haulage Association
Society of Operations Engineers

Where indicated at the FORS Standard Annex 2, it is possible to meet the FORS responsible person requirements by undertaking FORS Approved training.

Important!

If you are not undertaking training delivered by FORS, please make sure that the training provider’s course has either been FORS Approved or that the provider is licensed to deliver FORS Professional training prior to booking your places. You can do so by checking the FORS website here.

‘M6 Vehicle fleet’ – How is your fleet controlled and distributed across the organisation?

Under ‘M6 Vehicle fleet’, you are required to provide a fleet register as per the M6 requirement. This information must be provided at the audit, or uploaded when you request your audit (doc, docx, xls, xslx, txt, csv, pdf, png, jpeg format).

Vehicles

Remember that all vehicles at a FORS registered operating centre that are used for servicing and delivery must be registered and will fall under the scope of FORS accreditation – this includes: HGVs, vans, passenger carrying vehicles, cars, powered two-wheelers (motorcycles and mopeds) and wheeled plant. You can also include vehicles not used for servicing and delivery in scope of your accreditation. Both vehicles and drivers will need to be included in the audit. Please check Section 2 of the FORS Standard for all vehicle definitions.

Remember that temporary vehicles that are under the control of the FORS operator are subject to the same requirements of the FORS Standard as permanently owned vehicles. Temporary vehicles specifically include:

Leased vehicles
Loaned vehicles
Rental vehicles

FORS definition of an operating centre:

An operating centre is the site or depot where vehicles operate from, where there is infrastructure that supports daily management, control and day-to-day operational deployment of a fleet.

Please note that the definition of a FORS operating centre is not the same as defined for operator licensing. Remember that changes relating to your operating centre(s) or vehicle fleet size must be notified to FORS. For a full list of the changes that you must tell us about, please check the FORS Rules and Procedures.

FORS Vehicle Safety Equipment Guide

to help you meet the vehicle safety equipment requirements of the FORS Standard

FORS Vehicle Graphics Service

order your warning signage here.
Discounted prices for FORS operators

Key points to note:

‘V1 Serviceability and roadworthiness’ – documentation relating to first use inspections must include leased, loaned or hired vehicles where relevant.

‘V2 Daily walkaround checks’ – driver checks documentation must include any specialist equipment and specific components.

‘V5 Load safety’ – This requirement is divided into five separate requirements applicable to different vehicle types. You only need to demonstrate how you meet the requirement(s) that are relevant to your vehicle types.

‘V6 Vehicle safety equipment’ – Close proximity mirror fields of view may be achieved using a camera monitoring system.

Drivers

The FORS Standard is applicable to all types of drivers. Driver is defined as a person employed to drive or ride any vehicle that is in scope of FORS accreditation.

Remember that temporary vehicles and drivers that are under the control of the FORS operator are subject to the same requirements of the FORS Standard as permanent owned vehicles and employed drivers. Temporary vehicles and drivers specifically include:

Leased and hired vehicles
Sub-contracted and agency drivers
Any person that drives on the organisation’s business irrespective of vehicle ownership

Here are a number of ways to help you meet some specific requirements:

‘D1 Licensing’ – Licence checks are required every six months or increased for higher risk drivers using an approved an approved risk scale. Check out the FORS Driving Licence Checking Service for ease and peace of mind. Licence checking can also be completed online using the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) database to facilitate free employee driving licence checks
‘D2 Driving standards’ – Drivers are required to declare they have access to and read and understood the company’s policy on driving standard. Make use of to distribute a digital version of The Official Highway Code. FORS operators can also benefit from a 20 per cent discount for the printed version of The Highway Code – this is available through your dashboard
‘D6 Health and eyesight’ – Eyesight checks are required pre-employment (or the start of a specific contract), every six months, and after involvement in a blameworthy road traffic collision. This is an eyesight CHECK which requires drivers (with glasses or contact lenses, if required) to read a new style (from 1 September 2001) vehicle number plate at a distance of 20 metres, or a suitable alternative check. This is not a test by an optician. However, if the check is failed, then the driver must be referred to an optician for an eyesight test. Remember to record the eyesight check as this will be required to be evidenced at audit.
‘D4 Professional development’
- The safety eLearning modules are: Cycle Safety, Van Smart, Smart Driving, Bridge Smart and Pedestrian Safe. . One to be completed each year. These are valid for 12 months and must be renewed every year
- The Security and Counter Terrorism eLearning module is mandatory for drivers and is valid for 24 months
- Training requirements are listed at Annex 1 for drivers and Annex 2 for managers. There are important notes at the bottom of each table to assist you with understanding and/or implementing the requirement.
- FORS has produced training cards at Annex 1 for drivers and Annex 2 for managers to enable you to check at a glance what training is required at each level. There are important notes at the bottom of each training card to assist you with understanding and/or implementing the requirement. Note that FORS HGV driver mandatory training requirements apply to drivers of wheeled plant

Operations

In this section, you are required to nominate a champion responsible for each of the following:

Fuel and Emissions Champion as at requirement O2
Road Risk Champion as at requirement O3
Counter Terrorism Champion as at requirement O7

The champion can be the same person for all three areas of responsibilities. The champion(s) must be identified in the organisation chart in accordance with requirement ‘M4 Staff resources’.

Here are a number of ways to help you meet some specific requirements:

‘O4 Passenger safety’ – FORS operators must possess a passenger safety policy for each vehicle type, supported by a risk assessment or method statement. This requirement applies to operators of passenger carrying vehicles (PCVs), of course, but also to operators of any vehicle that is fitted with at least one passenger seat such as HGVs, vans and cars
- For PCVs – The full list of the requirements at ‘O4 Demonstration’ must be met. This includes pre-employment and three-yearly vetting of drivers, escorts and conductors through the Disclosure and Barring Service; and additional instructions where vehicles are accessible to disabled people
- For HGVs, vans and cars – As a minimum, your documentation must include specific information such as permitted number of passengers, wearing seatbelts and safety instructions for passengers
‘O7 Counter terrorism’ – The FORS Counter terrorism toolkit provides you with all the elements you need to put together a policy and supporting procedures and what you need to do with these. It includes a checklist of the key actions you need to undertake to meet Bronze requirement O7.

Small Operator information

A small operator is defined in the FORS Standard (Section 2.14) as an organisation with fewer than five vehicles and fewer than five employees.

Although we encourage all operators to produce and maintain documented evidence of meeting the FORS Standard, small operators may demonstrate verbally that they meet certain Bronze requirements.

The information below lists each Bronze requirement and the way it must be evidenced at audit.

Please note the below list is not comprehensive, and it needs to be read in conjunction with the FORS Standard.

Requirements and accepted method of evidencing for small operators

Requirement	Description	Accepted method of evidence
M1 FORS Documentation	Evidence of any management meetings within the previous 12 months. This can be copies of minutes of the meeting(s) held to include a review of your transport operation. FORS does not require to see the full minutes, only what is relevant to the FORS accreditation	Documented
M2 Records	Evidence of Drivers’ hours records (for all vehicle types) Evidence of Working Time Directive Hours (for all vehicle types) How long nil defect reports are kept for (for all vehicle types) – this must be evidence of your nil defect reports for the required period of time How long vehicle records are kept for (for all vehicle types) – this must be evidence of your PMI reports, vehicle servicing, service book stamps, maintenance reports for the required period of time	Documented
M3 Responsible person	Evidence of the relevant manager competency, such as a CPC management qualification, or the relevant mandatory FORS Professional or FORS Approved management training for the appointed person	Documented
M4 Staff resources	Job roles and responsibilities for drivers and all roles involved in the transport operation Organisation chart showing links between directors/operational staff and drivers – this shall include naming the champions, H&S rep, specialist operations (if applicable), number of drivers and number of managers involved in the transport operation A copy of your recruitment and selection procedure – this shall include driver assessments where relevant	Verbal
M4 Staff resources	Evidence of pre-employment checks, including fitness to drive and eligibility to work, qualifications and licensing	Documented
M5 Communication	A copy of your Drivers’ Handbook and supporting documents. If this is a third-party document, for example RHA/FTA/MQP handbook, this can be evidenced at the time of audit. Evidence of confirmation of receipt of the Drivers’ Handbook from all drivers Evidence of communication to all drivers and transport related staff, for all the required policies, procedures and risk assessments	Verbal
M5 Communication	Evidence of written driver declaration acknowledging their responsibilities	Documented
M6 Vehicle fleet	The vehicle fleet list	Documented
M7 Regulatory licensing	A procedure on regulatory licencing relevant to the operation Evidence of how the organisation has reviewed and notified the relevant bodies for all licences and permits held or required by the company – this could be the minutes of your management meetings	Verbal
M7 Regulatory licensing	A copy of your Operator Licence including any conditions and undertakings (where applicable) A copy of all of your regulatory licences including (where applicable) waste carriers’ licence, section19 or 22 permits, city and environmental permits such as Direct Vision permit (not-for-profit passenger transport) or private hire licence (where applicable) Evidence of your organisation’s name as listed at Companies House (where applicable) Evidence of the directors listed at Companies House (where applicable) – this could be a screenshot of the Companies House page listing your organisations directors Evidence of satisfaction of any additional undertakings such as a requirement to undertake a transport manager refresher course, a requirement to employee a new transport manager or any additional undertakings applied (where applicable)	Documented
M8 Health and safety	A copy of your policy and procedures Completed health and safety risk assessments and evidence of communication to your drivers and transport related staff. There are seven mandatory H&S risk assessments and one additional (Coupling and towing) if applicable to your operation Completed operational and driving for work risk assessments or method statements, and evidence of communication to your drivers and transport related staff. There are seven mandatory operational and driving for work risk assessments and one additional (Specialist operations) if applicable to your operation Evidence of your near-miss reporting system – this could be a spreadsheet or a screenshot of an online reporting system Evidence of where your health and safety policy is displayed in the workplace – this could be a photo	Verbal
M9 Complaints	A copy of your policy and procedures Evidence of your policy regarding grievances from members of staff Evidence of communication of the policy to drivers and transport related staff	Verbal
M9 Complaints	Evidence of any legal action against the company Evidence of the complaints recording and investigation system, this may be a spreadsheet or other system used Evidence of complaint resolution, trend analysis and improvement actions taken	Documented
M10 Transport infringements	A copy of your policy and procedures Evidence of communication of the policy to drivers and transport related staff	Verbal
M10 Transport infringements	Evidence of the system in place to record investigate and monitor all transport related breaches and offences Evidence of infringements including the control measures implemented and corrective action taken place Evidence any notices or outcomes of Public Inquiries (*)	Documented
M11 Transport updates	Evidence of keeping up-to-date with industry developments – this could be FORS bulletins, subscriptions to DVSA Moving On blog, scheme bulletins such as LoCITY and CLOCS, membership to a professional body or relevant trade association Evidence of how relevant industry changes are communicated to drivers and transport related staff – this could be via staff notice boards, driver briefings or any other way that will show how you are communicating to drivers	Documented
V1 Serviceability and roadworthiness	A copy of your policy and procedures Evidence showing that the policy has been communicated to your drivers	Verbal
V1 Serviceability and roadworthiness	Vehicle documents such as PMI’s, Tachograph Calibrations, first use inspections, MOT’s VED, LOLER Certificates – vehicle documents will need to be shown at the time of the audit video call A copy of the maintenance agreement with your provider or if the maintenance is undertaken in-house, a declaration that the facilities and staff competence are adequate for the size of the operation A copy of the organisation’s inspection and maintenance plan for all vehicles, trailers and specialist equipment in scope of your accreditation. This shall include a minimum of 15 months’ history and 6 months forecast for all inspection and maintenance tasks	Documented
V2 Daily walkaround checks	A copy of the walkaround check procedure Confirmation that all drivers have been made aware of their legal responsibility to carry our out walkaround check and defect reporting Vehicle, trailer and specialist equipment walkaround checks and defect rectification evidence, these documents will need to be shown at the time of the audit video call	Verbal
V2 Daily walkaround checks	Evidence of training carried out if drivers are expected to carry out minor repairs Evidence that the walkaround check covers the serviceability and fitment of vehicle safety equipment	Documented
V3 Insurance	Evidence of valid insurance that includes the policy number, the indemnity amount, expiry date and the insurer for vehicle insurance documents covering all vehicle types and drivers in your fleet Evidence of valid insurance that includes the policy number, the indemnity amount, expiry date and the insurer for Employers’ liability Evidence of valid insurance that includes the policy number, the indemnity amount, expiry date and the insurer for Public liability Evidence of valid insurance that includes the policy number, the indemnity amount, expiry date and the insurer for Goods in transit Evidence of valid insurance that includes the policy number, the indemnity amount, expiry date and the insurer for Professional indemnity Evidence of valid insurance that includes the policy number, the indemnity amount, expiry date and the insurer for Any other type of insurance that is required by the business to operate	Documented
V4 Vehicle tax	A copy of your procedure	Verbal
V4 Vehicle tax	Evidence of your planner or register that includes vehicle tax requirements, vehicle tax expiry dates, vehicle tax payments, and vehicle tax exemptions Evidence of any SORN vehicles	Documented
V5.1 Load safety for HGV	A copy of your policy Evidence that the policy has been communicated to all drivers Evidence of relevant in-cab height markers (where applicable) Evidence is required of the systems used to ensure vehicles are not overloaded (both weight and dimensions)	Verbal
V5.1 Load safety for HGV	Evidence that training has been provided to drivers regarding safe loading and load restraint	Documented
V5.2 Load safety for PCV	A copy of your policy Evidence that the policy has been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
V5.2 Load safety for PCV	Evidence that training has been provided to drivers regarding safe stowage of luggage, maximum passenger carrying capacity, and the location and restraint of any accessibility equipment Evidence of relevant in-cab height markers (where applicable)	Documented
V5.3 Load safety for vans	A copy of your policy Evidence that the policy has been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
V5.3 Load safety for vans	Evidence that training has been provided to drivers regarding cargo loading safety and cargo weight distribution Evidence of relevant in-cab height markers if the vehicle or trailer height exceeds 9 feet 10 inches	Documented
V5.4 Load safety for cars	A copy of your policy Evidence that the policy has been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
V5.4 Load safety for cars	Evidence that training has been provided to drivers regarding safe and secure loading	Documented
V5.5 Load safety for P2W	A copy of your policy Evidence that the policy has been communicated to all riders	Verbal
V5.5 Load safety for P2W	Evidence that training has been provided to drivers regarding safe and secure loading	Documented
V6 Vehicle safety equipment	Evidence of the vulnerable road user safety equipment fitted to all vehicles.	Documented
V7 Tyre management	A copy of your policy Evidence that the policy has been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
V7 Tyre management	Evidence of a formal written contract with your tyre fitting service or other supporting documentation (tyre invoices or proof of an account) OR a declaration regarding staff competence and facilities Evidence that your tyre recycling and disposal is in accordance with local waste regulations – this could be a waste carriers licence of your tyre disposal company	Documented
D1 Licensing	A copy of your procedures	Verbal
D1 Licensing	Evidence of driving licence checks for all of your drivers, demonstrating that the checks have been carried out at least every 6 months since your last Bronze audit (as per M2) – this could be screenshots of the third party system capturing the checks completed, or documents downloaded from the DVLA licence check service Evidence of a procedure and signed annual declaration that your drivers are required to report licence endorsements and infringements to the responsible person whether occurred on or off duty Evidence that checks are carried out on digital tachograph driver cards and driver qualification cards (where applicable)	Documented
D2 Driving Standards	A copy of your policy Evidence that all drivers have access to and read and understood the company policy on driving standards	Verbal
D2 Driving Standards	Evidence that all drivers have access to and read and understood the current version of The Highway Code Evidence that all drivers have access to read and understood the official road user guide or code of practice for all non-UK based operations (where applicable)	Documented
D4 Professional development	Evidence that all drivers have completed the required training (see Annex 1 of the FORS Standard for details of the mandatory training for the drivers). This can be copies of certificates or a screenshot or export from the FORS Professional Training Register into a CSV file Evidence that all appointed managers with direct accountability for the fleet have completed the required training (see Annex 2 of the FORS Standard for details of the mandatory training required). This can be copies of certificates or a screenshot of the FORS Professional Training Register, or using the FORS Training dashboard (please check the relevant guidance to ensure your records are correct, otherwise you may fail the requirement) A copy of your Professional Development Plan (PDP) to demonstrate the training planned ahead for your drivers AND other staff involved in the fleet operation	Documented
D5 In-vehicle communication	A copy of your policy and procedure Evidence that the policy and procedure has been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
D6 Health and eyesight	A copy of your policy and procedures Evidence that the policy and procedures have been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
D6 Health and eyesight	Evidence of eyesight checks for all of your drivers, demonstrating that the checks have been carried out at least every 6 months since your last Bronze audit (as per M2) Evidence of any eyesight checks undertaken following a blameworthy road traffic collision (where applicable) Evidence of remedial action taken following a failed eyesight check (where applicable) Evidence that all drivers have completed a driver health and fitness declaration	Documented
D7 Working time and drivers’ hours	A copy of your policy and procedures Evidence that the policy and procedures have been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
D7 Working time and drivers’ hours	Evidence a selection of drivers’ hours records for the last 12 months – this includes LCV and car drivers Evidence a selection of working time directive hours records for the last 24 months Evidence a selection of driver infringements (where applicable) Evidence of missing mileage investigations (where applicable)	Documented
O1 Routing	A copy of your procedures Supporting documentation evidencing the systems you utilise for route management (where applicable) Evidence of any training conducted regarding routes and any evidence that route briefings are taking place (where applicable)	Verbal
O2 Fuel, emissions and air quality	A copy of your policy – with the named Fuel and emission champion – and procedures Evidence that the policy and procedures have been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
O2 Fuel, emissions and air quality	Evidence how you monitor, record and manage fuel, emission data and air quality control – this shall be by vehicle and fuel type and include AdBlue (where applicable)	Documented
O3 Road traffic collisions	A copy of your policy – with the named Road traffic champion -, and procedures Evidence that the policy and procedures have been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
O3 Road traffic collisions	Evidence how you monitor, record and manage incidents and near misses Evidence any wellbeing and competency checks carried out following an incident or near miss	Documented
O4 Passenger safety	A copy of your policy Evidence that the policy has been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
O5 Specialist operations	A copy of your policy and procedures Evidence that the policy and procedures have been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
O5 Specialist operations	Evidence of the DGSA’s vocational qualification (where applicable) Evidence of waste carrier competence (where applicable) Evidence of the Drivers ADR certificates (where applicable) Evidence of completed STGO movement orders, and the system used such as ESDAL (where applicable)	Documented
O6 Operational security	A copy of your policy and procedures Evidence that the policy and procedures have been communicated to all drivers	Verbal
O7 Counter terrorism	A copy of your policy – with the named Counter terrorism champion – and procedures Evidence that the policy and procedures have been communicated to all drivers	Verbal

Additional assistance can also be found on our FAQ page.

COMPLETE – audit self-assessment

To ensure you are fully prepared for your audit, complete the ‘audit self-assessment’ to provide you with the confidence that you have met all of the requirements before requesting your audit.

Audit self-assessment

Glossary of terms

Make sure you are familiar with the terminology used throughout the FORS Standard as some definitions are specific to FORS and may not match the definitions or interpretations used by other organisations.

Glossary of terms

Disclaimer

Whilst many of the FORS Bronze requirements related to Operator Licence undertakings and other legal requirements, FORS accreditation IS NOT confirmation of compliance with GB Operator Licensing and other regulations relevant to fleet operations.

FORS accreditation does not protect operators from investigation or prosecution by the HSE, police, or DVSA or from appearing before a Traffic Commissioner at a Public Inquiry.

Traffic Commissioners welcome any scheme that promotes overall road safety. However, FORS operators that fall foul of the law are reminded that FORS accreditation or audit report will not be accepted as evidence by Traffic Commissioners or DVSA of Operator Licensing compliance.