A risk assessment has been completed. The paperwork is signed off. Policies are in place.

On the surface, everything looks compliant.

But a few weeks later, an incident occurs — and the investigation reveals something familiar: key risks were either underestimated or missed entirely.

For many UK organisations, risk assessments for driving at work are treated as a one-off administrative task. In reality, it should be a dynamic process that reflects how drivers operate day to day.

So, what are employers most commonly overlooking?

The Risk of a “Tick-Box” Approach

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a duty to manage risks associated with driving for work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is clear: this includes not just vehicles and journeys, but the drivers themselves.

Yet many assessments focus heavily on vehicle maintenance, insurance and documentation, and basic journey planning. Others categorise risk simply based on driving higher mileages or whether an eyesight test is current. While these factors are important, they only address part of the risk.

The most significant gaps tend to fall into four key areas:

• Driver behaviour
• Fatigue and wellbeing
• Vehicle suitability
• Training and competence

1. Driver Behaviour: The Human Factor

One of the most overlooked elements is driver behaviour behind the wheel. A risk assessment might confirm that a driver holds a valid licence — but that doesn’t tell you how they respond under pressure, whether they take unnecessary risks, their attitude towards speed limits or their awareness of hazards. Without assessing behaviour, organisations are relying on assumptions.

What Often Gets Missed

• Overconfidence in experienced drivers
• Risk-taking driven by time pressure
• Distraction from mobile devices or in-vehicle technology
• Poor hazard perception in complex environments

What to Do Instead

• Introduce structured driver assessments that explore behaviour and attitude — not just credentials
• Combining this with telematics or incident data provides a far more accurate picture of risk

2.Fatigue: The Hidden Risk

Fatigue is one of the most significant — and underestimated — risks in driving for work. Unlike speeding or harsh braking, fatigue is not always visible in data. Yet its impact on reaction time and decision-making can be severe.

What Often Gets Missed

• Early starts combined with long shifts
• Inadequate rest breaks
• Cumulative fatigue over several days
• The impact of non-work factors (e.g. poor sleep)
• Monotonous motorway driving

Many assessments simply state that drivers should “take regular breaks” — without defining what that means in practice.

What to Do Instead

• Review schedules and workloads, not just individual journeys
• Set clear expectations for rest breaks
• Provide fatigue awareness training
• Encourage a culture where drivers feel able to report tiredness
• Adopt a proactive approach to fatigue management, not a reactive one

3.Vehicle Type: One Size Does Not Fit All

Another common gap is failing to account for the specific risks associated with different vehicle types. Driving a small company car is very different from operating a long-wheelbase van, a heavily loaded vehicle, or a specialist or modified vehicle. Yet risk assessments often apply the same assumptions across the board.

What Often Gets Missed

• Vehicle size and manoeuvrability
• Load distribution and security
• Blind spots and visibility
• Differences in braking distances
• Driver familiarity with the vehicle

What to Do Instead

• Assess risk based on the type of vehicle used
• Ensure drivers are familiar with the specific vehicles they operate
• Provide additional training where vehicles present a higher risk
• Consider whether the vehicle is appropriate for the task
• Match the right vehicle and the right driver to every job

4.Training Needs: Beyond Initial Induction

Many organisations provide driver training at induction and assume that’s sufficient. In reality, risk changes over time. Drivers may develop bad habits, face new challenges, or move into different roles.

What Often Gets Missed

• Refresher training for experienced drivers
• Targeted training following incidents or near misses
• Ongoing development for high-mileage drivers
• Training tailored to specific risks (e.g. urban driving, motorway driving)

Without continuous development, training quickly becomes outdated.

What to Do Instead

• Link training to identified risks
• Use online modules to deliver flexible, ongoing learning
• Provide targeted interventions rather than blanket training
• Track completion and effectiveness
• Implement a continuous and responsive training approach, not a static one

Bringing It All Together: A More Complete Risk Assessment for Driving at Work

An effective risk assessment for driving at work should consider three interconnected elements:

The Driver

• Behaviour, attitude and competence
• Fatigue and wellbeing
• Training history and needs

The Vehicle

• Type, condition and suitability
• Safety features and limitations

The Journey

• Route complexity
• Time pressures
• Environmental conditions

Focusing on just one or two of these areas leaves gaps. A comprehensive approach ensures risks are identified and managed holistically.

Moving from Compliance to Prevention

The purpose of a risk assessment is not just to satisfy legal requirements — it’s to prevent harm. When key risks are overlooked, organisations may still appear compliant on paper but remain exposed in practice.

A more effective approach involves:

• Regularly reviewing and updating assessments
• Using real data and behavioural insights
• Engaging drivers in the process
• Linking findings to training and policy changes

This transforms risk assessments from static documents into active safety tools.

Driving for work remains one of the most significant risks many organisations face.

Yet the most important risk factors are often the least visible:

• Behaviour
• Fatigue
• Vehicle suitability
• Ongoing training needs

By addressing these gaps, employers can move beyond a tick-box approach and build a more realistic, effective understanding of driving risk.

E-Training World helps fleets assess driver risk and deliver targeted training that improves safety, supports compliance, and drives real-world results.

As the chosen provider for major brands such as QBE Insurance, AXA Insurance, Marsh McLennan, Transport for London (TfL), FM Conway, Wolseley and G4S, we have an outstanding reputation for the quality and effectiveness of our approach. Find out more in our Case Studies or Contact Us for a free login code to trial our system.