The training update follows the launch of the latest FORS Standard (version 5), announced at the FORS members’ conference last month (click link below).
Currently, at the FORS Bronze level, drivers must have completed a safety eLearning module within the past 12 months; at Silver, drivers must have completed within the past five years either a Safe Urban Driving or a Van Smart training course or a FORS-approved work-related road safety training course with an on-cycle element.
Bronze audits will now also require drivers to have completed within the last 24 months the FORS Professional ‘Security and Counter Terrorism’ eLearning module. FORS Silver audits will require the mandatory FORS Professional ‘LoCity Time to clean up’ driver eLearning module to have been completed within the past 24 months.
Drivers of FORS Gold members with van or HGV fleets are required to undertake FORS Professional ‘LoCITY Driving’ classroom training course, while those with car or passenger-carrying vehicle fleets are required to undertake a FORS-approved environmental awareness training course – both within the past five years.
An initial FORS Gold audit must see the responsible person, or nominated individual responsible for the fleet operation, working towards the FORS Practitioner qualification – and at the audit reapproval stage, the operator must have a qualified FORS Practitioner in place.
The new requirements take effect for audits from 14 January 2019; transitional provisions will be made and are detailed in the new FORS Standard.