Contents
- What does UVV mean?
- Driver training according to UVV
- Contents of UVV driver training
- Why is UVV driver training via an e-learning course useful?
- What is a UVV inspection in the vehicle fleet?
- What does a UVV inspection in the vehicle fleet include?
- Why is it necessary to document UVV inspections and UVV driver training?
What does UVV mean?
UVV is the abbreviation for accident prevention regulations. This is a binding set of rules for companies that regulates the safety of employees. The aim is to ensure the safety and health protection of employees and to minimize the risk of accidents and occupational health hazards. In concrete terms, this means that employers and fleet managers are obliged to design and maintain vehicles and work processes in such a way that employees can work safely. These include, among others:
Since May 1, 2014, the accident prevention regulations have been referred to as DGUV regulations, where DGUV stands for German Social Accident Insurance.DGUV regulation 70 is of particular importance for the vehicle fleet , as it regulates the Road safety of commercially used vehicles and occupational safety in road traffic. This regulation gives rise to two important aspects that employers should consider as vehicle owners:
- The regular UVV driver training ensures that employees are informed about all relevant safety measures.
- Proper UVV inspection: checks the operational safety of the vehicle.
Driver training according to UVV
As company vehicles are regarded as operating and working equipment, you must instruct employees in the vehicle fleet at least once a year. The aim of this safety instruction is totrain drivers in the safe handling of the vehicles and to ensure that they about what to do in the event of an accident and about potentially dangerous situations. Z secondly, the instruction serves as legal proof for you as an employer in the event of an accident.
It is therefore important that you carry out driver training regularly:
- Before each first journey
- At least once a year thereafter
If you do not do this and a claim is made, you could be held liable. Even if the accident was caused by the other party.
Anchored in the law
Driver training is part of a series of laws and regulations designed to ensure safety in the workplace. These include, for example, Section 12 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Section 12 of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, all of which stipulate that safety at the workplace and safe commissioning of the respective work equipment are mandatory.
The contents of UVV driver training
Although the legislator only makes a few specifications regarding the contents of the UVV, there are nevertheless some topics that should be covered in every safety training course in accordance with the UVV:
Before the ride
The first part of the driver instruction is dedicated to safe behavior before starting a trip. It is essential to prepare each trip in peace and feel physically and mentally rested to safely drive the vehicle. The first chapter is therefore mainly concerned with the safe commissioning of the vehicles. This includes checking vehicle technology, proper lighting adjustments, appropriate employee attire while driving, and proper and healthy seating positions.
Safety equipment
This chapter of the driver instruction according to UVV deals with the importance and correct use of the safety equipment in the vehicle. The second part deals with various aspects to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.
Topics related to safety equipment may include: Seat belts, airbags, child restraint systems, high visibility vests and first aid supplies. The UVV driver instruction in the area of “safety equipment” aims to raise employees’ awareness of the importance of the existing safety equipment in the vehicle, to use it correctly.
During the ride
This section of the driver training course is all about safe behavior and the right way to act when driving the vehicles. The focus here is on the safety of drivers and other road users.
According to the accident prevention regulation, this is about topics and rules such as: Concentration and attention, distractions caused by mobile devices, maintaining speed and adapting to the traffic situation, the correct safety distance, overtaking maneuvers carried out safely, right of way and traffic rules, dealing with special traffic situations such as road works, poor weather conditions or dangerous spots.
Behavior in case of accidents
The fourth part of the driver training in accordance with the accident prevention regulation deals with safe behavior during an accident situation. Accidents are a hugely stressful situation for drivers, so it’s especially important to give them thorough instruction on how to react appropriately and what the rules are if disaster does strike.
Drivers receive step-by-step instructions on what action to take in the event of an accident. In this way, drivers are optimally prepared for how to act prudently in such a situation and how to regulate the situation in the best possible way.
Final knowledge test
In the last chapter of the UVV driver training, a knowledge test is carried out. In the exam, all information from the previous chapters will be asked in the form of multiple-choice questions. There is no set time limit to answer the questions, so there is no exam pressure. Once all the questions about the accident prevention regulations have been answered, the driver can submit their test results.
If he passes the test, he will receive a certificate which will be considered as a proof of successful participation in the driver instruction according to UVV. If the exam is not passed, it is possible to retake it in order to better internalize the content learned and ultimately still receive the certificate of completion.
Digital driver instruction according to UVV
With our e-learning course, drivers are safely instructed in the use of company vehicles – whether in the office, at home or on the road. All test results are fully documented.
Why is UVV driver training via an e-learning course useful?
Coordinating UVV driver instruction as classroom training is a challenge, especially in large fleets. The fleet manager must take care of content creation, invite drivers, and then coordinate appointments. This can be very costly for both the drivers and the fleet manager. In addition, there is often a great deal of uncertainty about which topics from the accident prevention regulations need to be covered and to what extent. More and more fleetmanagers rely on the UVV driver training via e-learning.
The advantages of digital driver instruction
UVV driver training via e-learning is both a time-saving and cost-efficient method. For example, fleet managers are relieved of the time-consuming task of organizing appointments. In addition the contents have already been compiled and are regularly updated to comply with legal requirements. All training courses and test results are stored in a traceable manner. This is particularly relevant from a legal perspective, as in the event of a claim it must be proven that all drivers in the fleet have successfully completed the safety training.
It also offers drivers a great deal of flexibility, as the e-learning course can be completed anywhere. Training via e-learning also has a psychological advantage: drivers have sufficient time to familiarize themselves with the various topics in the run-up to the test. This makes them much more relaxed in the final exams.
What is a UVV inspection in the vehicle fleet?
The UVV inspection in the vehicle fleet is the mandatory safety inspection of the vehicles in the fleet. This is intended to ensure that these are in a safe operating condition and meet the statutory requirements. This should accidents can be avoided and the safety of drivers and other road users increased. The vehicle inspection according to UVV should not be confused with the TÜV.
Anchored in the law
Paragraph 57 of DGUV Regulation 70 stipulates that company vehicles must be inspected at least once a year by an expert to ensure that they are safe to operate. The results of the inspection must also be recorded in writing and kept until the next inspection.
What does a UVV inspection in the vehicle fleet include?
During the vehicle inspection in accordance with UVV, the vehicles are checked by a qualified, expert person – e.g. from DEKRA – to ensure that they are roadworthy and safe to use. As a rule, an annual UVV inspection is standard. However, certain equipment or operating conditions may require shorter intervals. Defects or faults must be rectified before the vehicle can be used again.
These aspects are checked as part of the vehicle inspection:
- Brakes: Checking the function of the brakes, condition of the brake pads and brake discs, brake pressure
- Lighting: Checking the functionality and correct alignment of the headlights, indicators, rear lights and brake lights
- Tires & rims: Tread depth, tire pressure and general condition of the tires
- Steering: functionality, play or deformation of the steering
- Seat belts: condition, functionality and correct fastening
- Warning signals: hazard warning lights function, horn and other warning signals
Why is it necessary to document UVV inspections and UVV driver training?
Through proper documentation of all vehicle inspections according to UVV and UVV driver instructions companies can prove that they have fulfilled their binding obligations. This plays a particularly important role in the event of a claim.
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The UVV inspection documents which vehicles were inspected, which defects were found and how they were rectified.
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The documentation of UVV driver training shows which drivers participated, which topics were covered, and that the training was completed successfully.
In the event of accidents or official inspections, complete documentation serves as proof of implementation and compliance with legal requirements, thus providing legal protection. In addition, the documentation also enables regular review and updating of the UVV measures. Proper documentation is therefore essential to ensure fleet safety and minimize liability risks for fleet management and the company.
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Please note: The annual driver instruction in accordance with the UVV does not replace the vehicle-specific instruction, which must be carried out personally by the fleet manager each time the vehicle is handed over. This article is not legally binding.
