Van driving query

[billyboy123]

can i just add that anyone useing their own car on delivery need to inform their insurance company as failing to do so could make your insurance invalid and you could also be breaking the law. royal mail wont be bothered about points on your licence or damage to your car should you have an accident as long as you get the mail delivered just remember its your licence and you need your own insurance

[fishtank]

Copy of Letter to Insurers
Date: ……………………………………………
Policy Number……………………………..
Renewal Date………………………………
Dear Sir/Madam
As part of my duties as a postman/woman, I have now voluntarily agreed to use my private car (registration number)_______________________
to convey me to and from the first point on my delivery and should I have to move the car from the first delivery point along the delivery route, as specified by the Delivery Manager and in accordance with the instructions given by the Delivery Manager as to those deliveries.
This agreement will exist until such time as Royal Mail or I decide that it will cease.
Royal Mail has confirmed that Royal Mail Group insurance arrangements covering damage, loss or injury arising from use of its vehicles on the highway - will now extend to damage, loss or injury arising from use of my own car on the highway while it is being used on Royal Mail business to and from the first point on my delivery and should I have to move the car from the first delivery point along the delivery route. This cover is for Third Party only.
I am writing to let you know that my car is now being used on Royal Mail business, as you are the insurer of my own car for domestic and pleasure use I enclose a letter from Royal Mail’s insurer, AIG Europe (UK) Limited, explaining the policy.
Should you have any questions about this, please could you reply to me by return and I will forward to the appropriate Royal Mail manager for a response.
Yours faithfully

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Anyway thanks for the advice - i'll go try and see if business insurance is feasible soon, if not i guess i'll just tell my manager and ask her to add me to RM blanket insurance (am i correct??), if not ask if i could drive their vans - if all else fails either let them drop me off or i quit :/

1. No your not correct - Royal Mails bond only covers the 3rd party vehicle - and the mail. However, you using your private car for your job, without having the correct insurance IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE. You have to have insurance cover if you are moving from the Office to your first delivery point as this journey is neither Domestic or Social if you don't you are breaking the law.

2. You have to sign the bond as far as I know, and as posted above various checks have to be taken by Management. If they don't do these checks then they are failing in various H&S regulations.

3. If you have done a change over you can drive a RM van, but obviously its up to management to deem if there is an operational requirement for you to do so.

4. I would not quit, but certainly RM are responsible for getting you to your first delivery point, be it by official vehicles or public transport.

[fishtank]

Royal Mail Internal Information
RM Private Cars on Delivery Procedure
Version 5.0
16th February 2011
Review Date: 16th February 2012

PCODVER5_feb2011.pdf

Everything you need to know is in there.
Once you see how many hoops you have to jump through,how many your line manager has to jump through and how little coverage you have at the end of it i'm sure you'll see the light.
Remember every step of this is a legal requirement.
If you don't follow it to the letter you're NOT insured,if you have an accident not only will you be in trouble with the law,have to pay for any damage and possibly be liable in any civil action........ you will likely be facing the conduct code for failing to follow Mail Security procedure.

[karchun]

WEll my insurance company says they don't have this policy for me :( (B***ocks)

SO are my options doing it through walking or being accepted for driving RM vans?

[Caniel]

WEll my insurance company says they don't have this policy for me :( (B***ocks)

SO are my options doing it through walking or being accepted for driving RM vans?

You shouldn't be using your own car for deliveries, even if you could get business insurance for your car and you could by some miracle afford it YOU SHOULDN'T BE USING YOUR OWN CAR!

Either you cycle out to your delivery, get dropped out, use a van or you could get a bus and claim the fare back off RM each day.

By using your own car like you have been makes you a MUG in your manager's eyes because your saving Royal Mail money and making life easier for them, you won't get any thanks for it and when the police stop you or if you are involved in an accident Royal Mail and your manager won't lift a finger to help you, they will most likely sack you instead; you won't have a leg to stand on when they do either.

So do yourself favour and do what has been mentioned umpteen times already and stop using your own car to do your delivery, it's down to your manager to provide you with a means to get to your delivery if it's 4 miles away. That's why they are managers and get paid more.

[karchun]

WEll my insurance company says they don't have this policy for me :( (B***ocks)

SO are my options doing it through walking or being accepted for driving RM vans?

You shouldn't be using your own car for deliveries, even if you could get business insurance for your car and you could by some miracle afford it YOU SHOULDN'T BE USING YOUR OWN CAR!

Either you cycle out to your delivery, get dropped out, use a van or you could get a bus and claim the fare back off RM each day.

By using your own car like you have been makes you a MUG in your manager's eyes because your saving Royal Mail money and making life easier for them, you won't get any thanks for it and when the police stop you or if you are involved in an accident Royal Mail and your manager won't lift a finger to help you, they will most likely sack you instead; you won't have a leg to stand on when they do either.

So do yourself favour and do what has been mentioned umpteen times already and stop using your own car to do your delivery, it's down to your manager to provide you with a means to get to your delivery if it's 4 miles away. That's why they are managers and get paid more.

I've contacted my Manager - she has kindly booked me a lesson with AA instructor on friday morning to drive a small van - apparently we are all having a changeover...I'm happy now :)

[CharlesSpooner]

It's good that you're doing a changeover - means you'll be able to drive a RM van and sounds like your DOM plans on keeping you around.

However, and this cannot be stressed enough, stop using your car IMMEDIATELY

There has been a document posted in this thread already about all the steps required for you to use your car legally and it is quite obvious that these steps have not been followed - this is more a failing of your managers than you but that means nothing in the eyes of the law. Ignorance is no excuse and by using your car you are and have been breaking the law. No responsible employee should expect this of you and your manager deserves a right royal bollocking for willingly putting you in a position of potential financial meltdown and criminal prosecution.

Until RM provide you with a van then simply refuse to use your car. The document posted in this thread contains one line that immediately kills any argument a manager can put forward....

If an employee chooses not to use their own car, it is the manager's responsibility to provide appropriate delivery equipment or acceleration.

Employee chooses - manager's responsibility

[Cheetah]

OOOOOHHHHH You lot don't know how excited you have got me . All the wallys in our office who are soft enough to use their own transport think that they are covered solely by RM's insurance all be it third party. I know of none who have filled out that letter informing their own insurance company they are using their vehicle for postmans work......
Can't wait to get to work tomorrow, it's going to be fun

[karchun]

It's good that you're doing a changeover - means you'll be able to drive a RM van and sounds like your DOM plans on keeping you around.

However, and this cannot be stressed enough, stop using your car IMMEDIATELY

There has been a document posted in this thread already about all the steps required for you to use your car legally and it is quite obvious that these steps have not been followed - this is more a failing of your managers than you but that means nothing in the eyes of the law. Ignorance is no excuse and by using your car you are and have been breaking the law. No responsible employee should expect this of you and your manager deserves a right royal bollocking for willingly putting you in a position of potential financial meltdown and criminal prosecution.

Until RM provide you with a van then simply refuse to use your car. The document posted in this thread contains one line that immediately kills any argument a manager can put forward....

If an employee chooses not to use their own car, it is the manager's responsibility to provide appropriate delivery equipment or acceleration.

Employee chooses - manager's responsibility

WEll i only do this job on saturdays and i have to get me lesson on friday - so i wouldn't be using it to deliver anyway :D