What is UVV? Definition and importance in the vehicle fleet

Safety in the workplace is a key concern for every employer and employee. Anyone who manages vehicles in the company therefore cannot avoid the abbreviations UVV and DGUV. But what exactly is behind these terms and what role do they play in the vehicle fleet? In this blog post, we will give you a comprehensive insight into the UVV, its legal basis, its application in the fleet and the specific obligations for fleet managers and employees.

What is UVV?

The abbreviation UVV stands for accident prevention regulations. These are binding guidelines designed to ensure health and safety in the workplace. They set out in detail the measures to be taken by employers and in the workplace to prevent accidents at work and occupational illnesses. There are around 80 regulations in totalopen_in_new.

Originally introduced as Berufsgenossenschaftliche Vorschriften (BGV), the UVV were standardized in May 2014 under the name DGUV-Vorschriftenopen_in_new. DGUV stands for German Social Accident Insurance, which took the initiative to modernize the regulations as the umbrella organization of the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions. This is because a number of employers’ liability insurance associations have merged in Germany in recent years. As a result, there were many individual accident prevention regulations, some of which had similar content or even overlapped. In order to ensure greater clarity and transparency in the regulations, the large number of existing accident prevention regulations has been reduced and transferred to a standardized system.

What is the legal basis of the UVV?

The UVVs are based on §§14-16 of the Seventh Social Code (SGB VII), which forms the basis for statutory accident insurance in Germany. SGB VII sets out general obligations for employers and insured persons, and the UVVs specify these obligations for specific sectors or activities.

What is the importance of UVV in the vehicle fleet?

The accident prevention regulations are also very important in the vehicle fleet. This is because vehicles such as trucks, commercial vehicles, forklifts or even the classic company car are part of the workplace and are used in accordance with § 2 para. 1 of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV) as work equipment considered. As with the operation of heavy machinery or electronic devices, drivers must be trained in the safe handling of company vehicles in order to avoid accidents and associated injuries or damage.

The driver instruction according to UVV must

before each first journey
with every vehicle change
and at least once a year.

Instruct employees safely?

Train your drivers at least once a year in the safe handling of vehicles in accordance with UVV. The best way to do this is via e-learning.

What role does DGUV Regulation 70 play in this?

The basis for driver training in accordance with UVV is DGUV Regulation 70 Vehiclesopen_in_new. This regulates all important aspects that must be observed when using the vehicles for operational purposes. In addition to the construction and equipment of the vehicles, this also includes their safe operation and regular inspection by an expert.

Construction and equipment

The section on the construction and equipment of vehicles in DGUV Regulation 70 sets out specific requirements to ensure that vehicles are built safely and fitted with the necessary safety equipment. This is intended to minimize the risk of injuries and accidents. This includes, for example, the condition of brakes and wheels, safety-relevant equipment such as airbags or the need for functioning front and rear lights, indicators and brake lights.

Operation

This section regulates the safe operation of company vehicles. This includes, for example, behavior before, during and after the journey or loading and unloading the vehicle. The contents of this section form the basis of driver training in accordance with the UVV.

Examination

DGUV regulation 70 stipulates that company vehicles must undergo regular UVV inspections by an expert. The roadworthiness and operational safety of the vehicle is checked. The results of the UVV inspection must be documented and filed in a verifiable manner. The UVV test should not be confused with the TÜV test.

What obligations does the UVV impose on drivers?

It’s not just fleet management that has to ensure safety in the fleet. In accordance with Section 36 of DGUV Regulation 70, employees are also obliged to check the company vehicle for defects and damage before every journey. It is essential whether it is your own company car or a pool vehicle.

(1) The driver must check the effectiveness of the operating and safety devices before the start of each work shift and observe the condition of the vehicle for obvious defects during the work shift.

(2) The driver of the vehicle must report any defects found to the responsible supervisor or, in the event of a change of driver, to the replacement. In the event of defects that jeopardize operational safety, the vehicle driver must cease operation.

For example, the lights and tires must be checked and it must be ensured that the first-aid kit, warning triangle and safety vest are in the vehicle and in working order. The levels of engine oil, fuel and coolant must also be checked. Any defects can be documented using logs and checklists.

How are fleet managers supported in complying with the UVV?

The accident prevention regulations are mandatory and violations can result in severe penalties in the event of a claim, ranging from fines to the loss of insurance benefits. Digital solutions support you in complying with your obligations and minimize the effort involved.

With the driver instruction e-learning course, drivers are trained in the safe handling of company vehicles, regardless of whether they are in the field, in the office or working from home. The contents of the course have already been prepared and are regularly updated in accordance with legal requirements. The test results are verifiably documented. You can find out more about the benefits of digital instruction in our article “Electronic driver instruction in accordance with UVV: 7 advantages of an e-learning course“.

The most important information on UVV in the vehicle fleet

UVV stands for accident prevention regulations, which include binding guidelines for ensuring health and safety in the workplace.

The accident prevention regulations are based on Sections 14-16 of the Seventh German Social Code (SGB VII) and are specified by DGUV Regulation 70, which regulates the construction, equipment and operation of company vehicles.

The accident prevention regulations stipulate the obligations for regular driver instruction and accident prevention inspections by an expert in order to ensure the roadworthiness and operational safety of the vehicles.