Search begins for best of the best

The search is on for the country’s best van drivers with the launch of this year’s Van Excellence Driver of the Year competition.

Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Vans, the contest will take place on Saturday 8 June at Bott Ltd in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. 

Supported by Bott Ltd, Brigade Electronics, Hertz, Lex Autolease and Quartix, the competition is open to Van Excellence members only and is aimed at recognising and celebrating the very best drivers from the very best van operators. 

A presentation will be made at the end of the day to the overall Van Excellence Driver of the Year, the second and third place contestants and the Van Excellence Young Driver of the Year. 

‘To be a successful van driver you need to have a multitude of skills,’ said Mark Cartwright, head of vans and light commercial Vehicles at FTA. 

‘As well as being able to manoeuvre your vehicle safely, efficiently and cost effectively to a tight timetable on Britain’s crowded roads, successful drivers must have excellent observation and concentration, as well as an understanding of all the relevant legislation and safety procedures. Van drivers are the lifeblood of our economy, delivering everything we need and are not always given the recognition they deserve – we plan to remedy that situation.’

Drivers will complete various tasks on the day of the competition, and will be rated on driving style, fuel economy, legislative knowledge, risk perception, manoeuvring and vehicle defect checking.