Is Your “Invisible” Grey Fleet Putting Your Business at Risk?

A car you don’t own could be your biggest liability. Shocking? Absolutely. But this is reality.

When employees drive their own cars, vans or motorcycles for business purposes e.g. client meetings, site visits, deliveries etc - they become part of what’s known as the Grey Fleet. Convenient? Yes. Cost-effective? Often. But here’s the problem: it comes with hidden risks that can cost you far more than you think.

What Is Grey Fleet, Really?

Imagine this: nearly half of employees using their personal cars for work don’t recall having their driving licence checked by their employer.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Less than a third have been asked to show a valid MOT certificate, only 35% were asked for evidence of car insurance and just 22% were given a driving-for-work policy.

Sounds risky, right? That’s because it is.

Grey Fleet vehicles aren’t company-owned but when they’re used for work, your business is still liable. All it takes is: one accident, one insurance gap or one unroadworthy vehicle which could put you in serious legal and financial jeopardy as an employer.

Your Legal Duty Isn’t Optional

Here’s the hard truth: as an employer, you must ensure your Grey Fleet drivers and vehicles are safe and roadworthy. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, you are legally required to:

• Confirm drivers hold valid licences and are fit to drive

• Ensure vehicles are properly insured and maintained

• Provide training and risk assessments for Grey Fleet journeys

Failing to comply isn’t just risky but it could lead to fines, lawsuits and reputational damage.

Think about it: would you gamble with your company’s reputation or worse, your employees’ lives?

Why Grey Fleet Management Matters

Grey Fleet mileage often exceeds company fleet mileage, making it a huge area of operational risk. Without proper oversight, you risk:

• Missing changes in driver licence status (additional points, disqualifications)

• Gaps in insurance coverage or eligibility

• No visibility of vehicle roadworthiness

The uncomfortable truth: more deaths occur on at-work road trips than in the workplace itself. Every unverified journey is a gamble you don’t want to take.

The Stats Don’t Lie

• 49% of Grey Fleet drivers don’t recall licence checks

• 20% of validation checks fail entirely

• 31% haven’t been asked for MOT certificates

• 35% haven’t provided proof of insurance

• 22% haven’t received a driving-for-work policy

Every number is a wake-up call. Can your business afford to ignore it?

Meet DriveSense Verify: Your Grey Fleet Solution

Managing your Grey Fleet doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. DriveSense Verify gives you complete visibility and control, helping you protect your people and your business.

Here’s what it does:

• Automated driver licence checks

• Evidence of business insurance

• Verification of vehicle roadworthiness, including MOT and Vehicle Tax

• Intuitive dashboards for compliance monitoring and reporting

• Driver declarations for breakdown cover, ensuring safety even when things go wrong

With DriveSense Verify, compliance isn’t just easier… it's effortless. You get peace of mind, your drivers stay safe and your business stays legally protected.

The risks are real. The stakes are high. Your Grey Fleet deserves attention before it’s too late.

We’d love to hear from you: how does your business manage Grey Fleet drivers? Are you confident in your processes or is this an area that needs more attention? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

References

• TTC Group, 2025. Grey Fleet Compliance Survey. [online] Available at: https://www.ttcgroup.co.uk/ [Accessed 24 September 2025].

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 2025. Driving at Work: Work-Related Road Safety. [online] Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/driving.htm [Accessed 24 September 2025].

• Legislation.gov.uk, 1974. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. [online] Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.htm [Accessed 24 September 2025].

• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), 2025. Work-Related Road Safety. [online] Available at: https://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/work [Accessed 24 September 2025].