The responsibility of running a fleet is tough work. There’s so much you need to stay on top of if you want success. If you’re not checking the status of your vehicles, you’re probably calculating fuel costs. And if you’re not hiring new drivers, you’re probably thinking about what marketing tactics you need to gain new customers. The list goes on.
Thankfully, you can now automate your business operations to make your life easier. Admin tasks can now be left to specialized fleet management software. For example, Ridecell’s IoT fleet management essentially does a lot of it for you. But more on that later. For now, we want to help you know how to run your fleet business whether you choose technology or the old traditional way.
So here’s some of the best tips and tricks you can use when running a fleet business. The more you know, the better your chances of success.
Table of Contents
Should you Automate your Fleet Management?
First things first. One of the best ways you can improve your operations is by automating your fleet. Companies like Ridecell have transformed the ways in which fleet managers deal with their everyday operations and managerial tasks. They’re all about streamlining your processes, including things like monitoring your fuel, monitoring driver behavior, checking vehicle diagnostics, and planning routes.
Should you Lease your Cars or Buy Them?
Another hot debate for fleet managers is whether they should lease their vehicles or buy them outright. So what are the pros and cons of both options?
Leasing
Outsourcing your vehicles means you don’t have to personally take on the risks associated with car ownership. The vehicles are not your sole responsibility. You can pay monthly over an agreed amount of time and return the car when the time’s up, or you can pay off the whole cost of the vehicle right up until the lease ends, from which point you’ll then be the owner.
Buying
While buying is more expensive, owning your own vehicles gives you full control. If you want to invest in your vehicles, just make sure you can financially afford them.
How can you Minimize your Fuel Costs?
So how do you minimize your fuel costs? Well, fuel costs do vary from time to time, but generally, it’s all about making the right choices.
- Lease/buy the most fuel-efficient vehicles.
- Teach your drivers to drive economically.
- Prevent fuel fraud by keeping tabs on your drivers and using fuel cards.
What Insurance Should I Get?
Your insurance price will depend on the vehicle you need insuring. So make sure you do your research and don’t settle for the first quote you come across. Most of the biggest insurance companies will also have specific fleet coverage policies which work out a lot cheaper than getting individual policies.
Don’t Forget About other Legalities
There’s other legalities you need to think about too. For example, are you paying the right tax? Are your employees safe? Is your equipment suitable for its intended use? Make yourself aware of all the rules and regulations that govern fleet operations and make sure you fully comply with them.
