Fleet Management Key Terms

Learn the necessary fleet management vocabulary

Managing your fleet is an essential aspect to the success of your business. For example, you want to perform maintenance tracking to ensure that all vehicles in your fleet receive preventative maintenance at the correct times. You also may want to use RFID or GPS to track vehicles, potentially decreasing unauthorized vehicle usage. Whether you have a fleet of two cars or thousands of trucks, knowing the key terms related to fleet management will help you get the job done.

Radio frequency identification (RFID)

Using radio frequency identification, or RFID, you can easily track your goods. A small microchip is placed into an item and this can be used to automatically track where your goods are. There is no need to manually enter this information.

Global positioning system (GPS)

Global positioning system, or GPS, is another method of tracking your fleets. GPS uses satellites to track the position of things. To use GPS to track your fleet, you would need to insert a GPS device into each car.
NASA.

Unauthorized vehicle usage

Unauthorized vehicle usage is when fleet drivers use their vehicles to make personal stops or take on side jobs. Because many companies allow drivers to take the car home, but not use the car during after-hours, tracking vehicle usage is an important part of fleet management.

Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and commercial motor vehicles (CMV)

The vehicles that you use for your business are commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and many require the drivers to carry a commercial drivers license (CDL). This is because CMVs are typically much larger and more difficult to maneuver than consumer cars.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association discusses commercial drivers licenses and the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986.

Maintenance tracking

All vehicles require regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tune ups, to perform their best. Part of fleet management is maintenance tracking, or tracking when vehicles were last maintained and when they need preventative services.

NAFA Fleet Management Association

The NAFA Fleet Management Association helps those that are in charge of fleet management to network and learn the latest techniques for fleet management.

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