Running a plumbing, HVAC, or electrical company means your crews spend more time on the road than in the office. Vans are job-site lifelines—but every mile exposes your brand to risk. A single crash can wipe out a month of profit through repairs, workers’ comp, and skyrocketing insurance.

A written fleet-safety policy turns “common sense” into enforceable standards and shields you in court. Below are the four non-negotiable policies Alliance Fleet Solutions recommends for light-duty service fleets.

1. Journey Management

Why it matters

Breakdowns at 7 a.m. ruin schedules and customer trust. A journey-management policy forces drivers to spot issues before wheels roll.

Key elements

  • Daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections (tires, fluids, lights)
  • Supervisor sign-off before a vehicle deemed “unsafe” returns to service
  • Standard routes and check-ins for techs working alone
  • Emergency procedure card in every glove box

2. Distracted-Driving Policy

Phones, fast food, even voice-to-text—anything that diverts eyes or mind increases crash odds. Your rule should state:

  • Phones off and stowed while in motion
  • No hands-free calls—pull over first
  • GPS programmed only when parked
  • Immediate termination when violations cause a preventable collision

3. Seat-Belt Policy

Simple, life-saving, legally solid. Require every occupant to buckle up whenever the ignition is on, whether in a company van or personal vehicle used for business. Supervisors perform quick belt checks before dispatch.

4. Drug & Alcohol Policy

Impairment—legal or otherwise—destroys reaction time. Your policy must ban:

  • Alcohol or illegal drugs during duty hours (including breaks)
  • Driving while using prescription or over-the-counter meds that impair alertness (drivers must notify a supervisor)
  • Possession of alcohol or drugs in any company vehicle

Implement testing at hire, after accidents, and randomly.

Turning Policies into a Safety Program

Rules alone don’t change behavior. Add:

  • On-boarding e-learning—defensive-driving modules every tech completes before touching keys.
  • First-week ride-alongs—supervisors model and reinforce safe habits.
  • Monthly safety huddles—15-minute toolbox talks on topics like adverse-weather driving.
  • Telematics coaching—dashcams and idle/speed alerts catch risky habits early.

World-class fleets see 30–50 % crash reductions within a year.

Small Fleet? Start Simple.

If you’re a five-van plumbing outfit, begin with a one-page policy covering the four pillars above. Post it in the shop, attach it to driver files, and revisit quarterly. Consistency beats complexity.

Ready to Build Your Policy Playbook?

Alliance Fleet Solutions creates custom fleet-safety manuals, trains your team, and monitors compliance—so you stay focused on satisfying customers, not settling claims.

Book a free 20-minute Safety Strategy Call—walk away with:

  • A journey-management checklist template
  • A no-cost distracted-driving poster for your break room
  • Action steps tailored to your exact fleet size

👉 Schedule here. Let’s make safety the easiest profit-boosting move you take this year.