The Guide to Van Excellence covers areas such as vehicle condition, safe working, driver licensing, compliance and training, and will be regularly updated to keep track of changes in the fast-growing van sector.

The guide is part of the association’s Van Excellence initiative, which aims to improve operating standards among van fleets and improve the image of the sector. So far, 13 organisations operating over 22,000 vans have signed up to the Van Excellence initiative, with some 80 more in the pipeline.

FTA Van Excellence project manager, Mark Cartwright, said: 'There has been a massive growth in van use in recent years and the large number of liveried vans on the road means that the way in which they are presented, driven and operated can have an important effect – for good or ill – on the reputation of a company.  The Guide to Van Excellence contains information on everything that good operators have learnt through hard work and experience, helping other operators to follow their example.'

The Van Excellence programme is open to both members and non-members of FTA.  For further information go to www.vanexcellence.co.uk