Managing a fleet is a tough job since it involves a lot of requirements to ensure compliance with traffic regulations and rules in different jurisdictions. For each vehicle to operate legally, it should meet specific licensing and insurance requirements, and this can be more challenging if you operate in different regions. The rules and regulations may be different in each province, but there is no compromise when it comes to compliance issues. If you decide to handle the fleet vehicle licensing and registration yourself, here are some of the things that you should know.
Registering a New Vehicle
The requirements for registering a new vehicle may vary by jurisdiction but there are basic things you should know. You need to provide your insurance company name, new vehicle information, policy number and expiry date, initial registration place, jurisdiction, bill of sale, correct address, paid-up fees, tolls or fines, plate and serial numbers, client power of attorney, and other additional requirements. Renewals and replacements should come with an odometer reading depending on the age of the vehicle and jurisdiction. For plate cancellation, you must provide the reason as well as a copy of the vehicle registration.
Third-Party Licensing Agents
Strong relationships with the providers of licensing services at your local office can go a long way in managing your fleet and ensuring compliance so that your operations are not affected. At times it can be challenging for the fleet managers to provide correct information about their vehicles which can affect their operations. Therefore, it is a good idea to enlist the services of a professional fleet management company to oversee various tasks associated with fleet vehicle licensing and registration. Third-party licensing providers have established good relationships with the key players at the DMV. They can deal with issues that may arise perfectly since they have the necessary databases and infrastructure to report on compliance.
In some jurisdictions, the third-party licensing services require the power of attorney to act on behalf of fleet managers. However, the good thing is that third-party vendors can provide services in initial and permanent fleet registration where they always ensure compliance by providing accurate paperwork and other necessary details. There are several benefits that you can get from partnering licensing professionals with expertise and information required for licensing your vehicle in each jurisdiction. This will save you time, money, the hassle of dealing with DMV renewal registration and licensing that is often complicated. More importantly, hiring a professional to manage your fleet gives you the autonomy to focus on your key business and ensure that your fleet is up-to-date with the DMV requirements.
Be Familiar With the Rules
It is essential to familiarize yourself with the licensing and registration rules of fleet vehicles when you decide to deal with the task personally. You need to get the licensing procedures to guide you so that you know everything required of you before you register your vehicle to operate in different places. You can also ask the responsible authorities for general information that can make fleet management easier so that you do not experience complications that can affect your operations.
Create a Database
It is easy to manage your fleet licensing and registration when you have a database in place. This database should contain vital information about each vehicle that includes the following:
- Plate information
- Territory registration identification
- Vehicle weight
- Plate expiry
- Driver name
Having this crucial information in a central database helps you keep track of all the licensing requirements and expiry dates for each vehicle. You should also understand the different regulations on registration and licensing in various areas where your fleet operates. Hiring a fleet management company can be advantageous in that they have audited databases with critical registration information about each vehicle.
Do Not Wait for Expiration of Your Plates
You should not make the mistake of waiting until the vehicle plate expires so that you can renew it. The renewal process can be overwhelming if you are caught off guard since it can affect the operations of your fleet. It is better to renew your vehicle license in advance so that you will not experience delays in your operations. Additionally, you should ensure that your vehicles pass safety inspections before you renew their licenses.
Managing a fleet of your vehicle licensing, insurance, and renewals is a complicated process that requires careful attention to detail. Each truck should have accurate registration documents for you to operate legally in different jurisdictions. Due to the complications involved in licensing fleets, many businesses prefer the option of enlisting the services of a fleet management company so that they can focus on their business.
