Maintaining a safe, fully compliant local authority fleet starts with having the right expertise on the ground. We recently headed to North Devon to deliver a comprehensive two-day LGV Assessor "Train the Trainer" course for Torridge District Council at their impressive new depot in Bideford.

Torridge District Council have recently settled into a state-of-the-art operational facility, complete with extensive parking and a fully equipped workshop—a superb setup that reflects their ongoing commitment to high operational standards.

Congratulations to candidate Stephen "Frank" Pedlar, who successfully completed the intensive training on 18th & 19th August, qualifying him to conduct professional, in-house driving assessments across the council's fleet.

(And yes—we made sure to squeeze in a famous Hocking’s ice cream at Westward Ho! before heading home).

Building Internal Assessment Capability

Our LGV Assessor courses are designed to give internal trainers the practical tools and objective frameworks required to evaluate goods vehicle drivers confidently.

During the two-day programme, candidates cover key operational competencies:

• Licensing & Eyesight Checks: Establishing statutory pre-drive compliance.
• Assessment Route Design: Selecting routes that accurately test core handling, spatial awareness, and urban driving.
• Marking Schemes & Objective Scoring: Eliminating subjectivity using standardised marking sheets.
• Factual Report Writing: Producing clear, evidence-based reports to support management decisions and driver feedback.
• Specialised Assessments: Tailoring evaluations for new starters, periodic reviews, vehicle defect investigations, and post-collision remediation.

A Proactive Approach to Compliance

Torridge District Council continues to set a strong benchmark for public sector transport operations. In addition to internal assessor training, they regularly partner with Dave Robbins Transport Consultants for independent compliance audits, Operator Licence Awareness Courses (OLAC), and specialised driver training to ensure their O-licence undertakings remain robust.

Upskilling your existing team to conduct structured driving assessments internally is one of the most cost-effective ways to manage fleet risk, improve fuel efficiency, and uphold strict safety standards.

Interested in qualifying your own in-house LGV Assessors or reviewing your fleet's compliance? Contact Dave Robbins Transport Consultants to discuss on-site training packages.