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Last updated: 19 March 2026
Aggressive acceleration, harsh braking and late decision-making don’t just raise risk on the road — they can also quietly increase fuel spend and maintenance costs across a fleet.
Where the “£560 a year” figure comes from
Direct Line DrivePlus published an analysis in January 2017 based on over 319,000 journeys by more than 2,000 drivers recorded over a two-month period (Sep–Nov 2016). It estimated that drivers with the worst driving scores could spend around £562 more per year on fuel than those with the best scores (based on assumptions including 8,200 annual miles and a set fuel price).
In the same analysis, lower-scoring drivers were shown to travel fewer miles between refuelling stops and achieve lower miles-per-gallon, with driving style measured using behaviours such as acceleration, braking and steering.
Why it matters for fleets (even if your fuel bill isn’t “£560”)
Your exact numbers will vary by van type, route mix, load and fuel prices — but the underlying point is consistent: driving smoothness is a controllable cost lever.
Poor driving habits can also increase wear and tear. Direct Line’s commentary notes that smoother driving can reduce strain on tyres and other wear components (such as brakes).
What fleets can do now: 5 practical steps
1) Make smooth driving a measurable standard
Define what “good” looks like in your operation (gentle acceleration, anticipating traffic, fewer harsh braking events) and track it consistently — ideally with telematics or driver scorecards.
2) Use coaching, not just monitoring
Feedback works best when it’s specific (what happened, where, and what to change next time). Even short, regular check-ins can help turn scorecard data into behaviour change.
3) Refresh training for real-world efficiency
A Department for Transport evidence review found a broad consensus that efficient-driving training can reduce fuel use immediately after training (up to 25%), with a smaller long-term effect reported for employee drivers (up to 6.5%), depending on programme and context.
Energy Saving Trust also highlights eco-driving and driver training as a route to reduced fuel consumption and collision reduction.
(Important: these are “can/may” outcomes — not guarantees.)
4) Tie driving style to maintenance checks
If you see repeated harsh braking/acceleration, look for the downstream impacts: brakes, tyres, suspension and clutch wear. Align your maintenance schedule and inspection focus with what the driving data is telling you.
5) Link it to risk and insurance hygiene
Better driving doesn’t automatically mean lower premiums, but reducing incidents and keeping good records may support your risk story at renewal. Separately, ensure your policy details match reality (use class, drivers, security, mileage, any racking/conversions).
Bottom line
The headline “£560” is an estimate from a specific dataset and set of assumptions — but it’s a useful reminder: driving behaviour is one of the few fleet costs you can influence quickly, often with benefits that extend beyond fuel into maintenance and risk.
Sources
- Direct Line Group (DrivePlus) — “The cost of being a bad driver - an extra £560 on fuel” (6 Jan 2017): View source
- Department for Transport — Efficient Driving: A Rapid Evidence Assessment (Jan 2016): View source
- Energy Saving Trust — Driver training and operations guidance for fleet managers: View source
VanCompare Editorial Team
The VanCompare Editorial Team produces clear, practical guidance on UK van insurance and related topics. We work with FCA authorised insurance providers and use insurer information where relevant to explain cover in plain English and help drivers make informed decisions.
Where relevant, our content is checked against publicly available UK guidance and information from sources such as the FCA and GOV.UK to help keep it accurate and up to date.
This content is for general information only and is not financial advice.
