MANY small to medium-sized businesses are struggling with fleet management, AA Business Services has revealed.

Customer feedback is that SMEs want more help and assistance with fleet management, but at the same time don't want the issue inflated or over-emphasised within their businesses.

The feedback revealed that the time businesses spent on fleet-related issues is dependent on the size of the company, with larger businesses having a more structured and formal approach to fleet management than smaller businesses which often operate on a more reactive and 'ad hoc' basis. However, businesses with transport at their core may be more dedicated to effective fleet management than others.

Adrian Waters of AA Business Services attributes the need for more support to the changing way in which fleets are managed.

"Feedback has shown us that support staff such as office managers are increasingly taking responsibility for administrative tasks such as assigning vehicles to drivers, arranging servicing and repairs, insurance and MOT updates and transferring and inputting mileage data. However, these individuals are also involved in many other aspects of the business and can only devote a small amount of time to fleet issues. Unfortunately, duty of care and the recently passed corporate manslaughter legislation mean that effective fleet management is essential for all businesses – whatever their size."