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Last updated: 24 March 2026
This article was originally published when the Freight Transport Association (FTA) was promoting a voluntary "code of excellence" for van operators. That programme didn't disappear — it evolved into today's Van Excellence scheme, now facilitated and managed by Logistics UK (the organisation formerly known as the FTA).
Why the idea took off
The UK has a large and growing light commercial fleet. Department for Transport vehicle licensing statistics show there were about 4.79 million licensed light goods vehicles (LGVs) on UK roads at the end of December 2024.
Against that backdrop, industry-led standards aim to reduce predictable failures (maintenance gaps, licensing issues, unsafe loading, distraction), and help operators show they're managing safety and compliance systematically.
What "Van Excellence" is today
Logistics UK describes Van Excellence as a scheme designed with safety and efficiency at its core, built with input from leading van operators. At the centre are Van Excellence Standards outlining "what good looks like" in van operations.
A Logistics UK press release marking 10 years of the scheme says Van Excellence was created in 2010, with the Van Excellence Code (standards) as a set of minimum best-practice requirements for van operators.
What the standards typically cover
The current standards document sets out eligibility and audit expectations, and groups requirements across the main building blocks of running vans safely and legally (people, vehicles, and management systems).
In practice, the standards focus on areas such as:
- Driver competence and training
- Driver licence checks and fitness-to-drive controls
- Working time / fatigue management where relevant
- Safe loading and securing of loads
- Vehicle inspection, maintenance and defect reporting systems
- Policies for high-risk behaviours (including mobile device distraction)
Is it accreditation — and does it need an audit?
Yes. The standards document explains that Van Excellence is open to all van operators (membership of the Freight Transport Association/Logistics UK is not required) and that, to be awarded Van Excellence, operators must demonstrate they meet the requirements set out in the standards via an audit process.
Will it lower van insurance prices?
What this scheme can do is help you prove you manage risk (training, maintenance systems, licence checks, loading controls, policies and enforcement). That evidence may be useful when discussing cover with insurers — but there's no automatic or guaranteed discount purely for following a code. Pricing is based on many factors (claims history, driver profiles, security, use, locations, vehicle values, and insurer appetite).
If you want the insurance-relevant takeaway, it's this: the strongest position is being able to show documented controls, not just good intentions.
Practical insurance/risk checklist for fleets
- Keep written policies for key risks (mobile phone use, fatigue, loading, towing where relevant).
- Maintain auditable records: licence checks, driver training, defect reporting, servicing, and repairs.
- Review tool/equipment security and overnight parking routines (high theft risk can affect claims).
- Make sure vehicle use, conversions/modifications, and carried goods/tools are correctly declared.
Sources
- Logistics UK — Van Excellence overview (scheme description and standards framing).
- Logistics UK — Van Excellence Standards (PDF: eligibility, audit, what the standards cover).
- Logistics UK — "Van Excellence celebrates 10 years in operation" (created in 2010; code at the centre).
- DfT (GOV.UK) — Vehicle licensing statistics, UK 2024 (licensed LGVs at end of 2024).
- DfT (PDF) — Vehicle Licensing Statistics Q4 2014 (context on vans growth trends and definition of vans/LGVs).
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.
