The Association of Driven Vehicle Delivery Agents (ADVDA) has launched a certificate of driver competence in an effort to raise standards.

ADVDA members collect and deliver hundreds of vehicles to and from franchised dealerships and fleet operators.

The qualification will only be attained after successfully completing an intensive induction process, designed to test drivers’ knowledge of ADVDA’s code of conduct.

It will teach drivers the correct way of inspecting a vehicle, customer service techniques, training on handheld technology, vehicle and customer specific handover techniques, product knowledge and specialist vehicle equipment training.

ADVDA chairman Matt Sirrell told members at the association’s annual general meeting: “The ADVDA’s logo must stand for something.”

The qualification will also test knowledge of ADVDA’s guidelines, an area of learning that Sirrell said would be subject to a continual audit.

The move is part of the wider goal of ADVDA to raise the perception and standards of the industry.