Study: Top fleet managers are increasingly proactive
In a growing trend, fleet managers are shifting toward using prevention, early detection, and real-time visibility to address their ongoing safety and compliance challenges, according to the J.J. Keller Center for Market Insights’ sixth annual State of Fleet Management study.
The report highlights how today’s fleet managers are balancing regulatory complexity, operational demands, and cost pressures while working to reduce risk across their operations, J.J. Keller said. “Fleets are shifting from reacting to issues to preventing them,” Daren Hansen, J.J. Keller & Associates senior compliance expert, stated in a news release. “With tighter margins and higher risk, there’s a clear focus on catching problems early, whether that’s identifying non-compliant drivers or addressing maintenance needs before they lead to breakdowns or violations.”
Key fleet manager concerns reported in the study include:
- Effectively managing preventative maintenance to avoid breakdowns or accidents
- Staying up to date on changing regulations
- Ensuring training results in fully qualified and compliant drivers
- Knowing quickly when a driver is non-compliant
- Identifying repair needs before breakdowns or incidents
The findings also show compliance is evolving beyond documentation toward real-time awareness and action, J.J. Keller added. While accurate recordkeeping remains important, fleet managers are placing greater emphasis on visibility into driver performance, regulatory impact, and day-to-day operations.
Despite these advancements, the role remains demanding. Two-thirds of fleet managers describe their job as very or moderately challenging, citing regulatory changes, hiring and retention, documentation, and maintenance as ongoing pressures.
“Small gaps in compliance, training or maintenance can quickly turn into major issues,” Hansen concluded. “A structured safety and compliance program helps fleets stay ahead of risk and operate with greater confidence.”