Enhance Driver Accountability with Fleet Cards

Companies that rely on a fleet of vehicles for their operations also depend on drivers to ensure everything runs smoothly. The way a fleet manager interacts with these drivers can significantly affect both costs and efficiency. It's essential to hold drivers accountable for their spending and driving behaviors, but this can be challenging. Overly controlling this valuable resource can reduce job satisfaction and lead to increased turnover.

Most fleet card providers include detailed reporting and analytics among the features of a fleet fuel card. This data is crucial for examining spending trends and pinpointing areas for improvement.

Fostering a culture of accountability is vital for a healthy fleet. One effective method to achieve this is by embedding accountability into your company’s core values, and a fleet card is a powerful tool that facilitates this process.

The Function and Features of Fleet Cards

Before we explore how fleet cards, or fuel cards, can facilitate accountability among your drivers, let’s examine their functions and features. Most fleet fuel cards are equipped with various features tailored to the unique needs of businesses managing fleet vehicles and drivers.

Centralized Payment System

At their most basic functions, fleet fuel cards are a payment alternative to credit cards and cash. But unlike a credit card, a fleet card is a more secure way to centralize your fleet-related expenses. Companies can consolidate fuel and maintenance expenses.

Fleet cards can be assigned to drivers or vehicles, and regardless of how many cards you have, they can all be tied to one account. This simplifies the payment process and reduces the administrative burden of managing multiple payment methods.

Access to Fuel Rebates and Discounts

Many fleet card programs offer fuel rebates. In some cases, these discounts are only available at specific fuel brands or within certain fuel networks. Business gas cards, like the ones offered by POWERDRIVE, are accepted at 98% of U.S. gas stations, and the discounts are available wherever you fuel. This can lead to significant savings over time.

Purchase Controls

Fleet cards are equipped with purchase limits. These are customizable and enable fleet managers to set specific spending parameters. Ideally, parameters should align with a company’s fuel spending policy. Some of the more common purchase limits include:

• Dollar amount: set a daily, weekly or monthly limit on the total dollar amount spent.

• Fuel volume: limit the amount of fuel that can be purchased.

• Number of transactions: limit how many transactions can be made within a specified period of time.

• Time of day or day of week: set specific times of day or days of the week when the card can be used.

• Fuel type: select which fuel types or grades are approved, such as diesel, gas, premium or regular.

• Geographical limits: approve the card for use in specific areas or fueling stations.

• Purchase type: limit purchases to fuel only or approve for food and drink.

• Allow parts and services: a card can be used for fuel only or additional fleet-related expenses.