The Freight Transport Association (FTA) says it has been inundated with nominations for its 2016 Driver of the Year competition.

Applications to take part reflect the professionalism and dedication of drivers who are determined to win the prestigious title of top driver.    

Launched in January 2016, FTA’s inaugural competition which covers the entire spectrum of drivers from vans to 44 tonne trucks, has received huge response from its members illustrating how important the industry takes the role of the professional driver.  

Organiser of the event - Will Reeves, FTA sponsorship and advertising manager said: “We are delighted at the response from FTA Members who have certainly risen to the challenge of finding the most professional driver in the UK. 

“We have received applications from a wide variety of sectors in the logistics industry, which reflects how seriously they consider the role of their drivers – which is all too often overlooked.” 

All nominations to the competition are now being considered through a rigorous selection process which will involve checking tachograph data and the drivers licences, following which a short list of drivers will be compiled of those taking part.  

FTA introduced the competition to be held in association with Mercedes -Benz Trucks, at Wentworth Park, following the successful Van Excellence Driver of the Year events which have been held previously.   

The three contests – FTA Truck Driver of the Year (44 tonne) sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Trucks; FTA Truck Driver of the Year (18 tonne) sponsored by Bridgestone Tyres; and the Van Excellence Driver of the Year sponsored by LeasePlan UK. All three will be held at Mercedes-Benz, Wentworth Park, Barnsley, from 12 to 14 July 2016.   

Contestants taking part in each of the events will be asked to complete various tasks in the competition designed to test their abilities across a wide range of skills.  Throughout the day drivers will be assessed on their overall competence behind the wheel.  

Elements of the competition will examine driving skills (fuel economy and driver behaviour), manoeuvring ability, the drivers’ risk awareness, checked legislative knowledge, and ability to identify pre-use defects of the vehicle. Contestants will be scored on each task and ranked based on their scores. 

Reeves added:  “We want to find the very best drivers and are confident those that have applied will be bring the necessary skills and ability for contests which celebrate the skills and abilities of professional drivers across the entire freight and logistics sector. We wish them all luck on the day.”