Contract hire, fleet management and rental specialist Fraikin has published the first in a new series of ‘What You Need to Know’ guidebooks designed to help commercial vehicle operators stay up-to-date with key legislative issues and changing technology within the road transport industry.

The first two guides include What You Need to Know on Sustainable Transport and Clean Air, and What You Need to Know on Vehicle Safety.

They revive a popular series launched by Fraikin a decade ago covering essential topics of the day including Euro-IV, Digital Tachographs and Driver CPC – and which saw tens of thousands of copies requested by fleets.

Colin Melvin, sales director at Fraikin, said: “Running a commercial vehicle fleet means getting to grips with huge amounts of legislation on an ongoing basis, which can prove both confusing and daunting for firms. This is particularly the case for own-account operators where road transport is most often a necessary requirement, and not a core part of their business.”

The new sustainability guide covers topics including Euro VI and beyond, Ultra-Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ) and future fuels; as well as providing details of where operators can turn for independent advice.

The vehicle safety booklet highlights some of the most recent safety developments which fleet managers need to be aware of, including the Direct Vision Standard. It also provides a refresher on important topics including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, with examples of some of the best and worst practice in commercial vehicle operational safety. 

Melvin added: “Our What You Need to Know guides package together the knowledge and advice we share with our customers on a regular basis, and makes it available to a wider audience.

“We’re confident they will help fleets to stay informed and compliant, as well as enabling them to plan ahead with confidence.”

Fraikin is making the new 12-page booklets available to download for free from its website. Printed copies are also available upon request to maria.holmes-keeling@fraikin.com.

It will launch further guidebooks in the range later in 2017.