Understanding how GPDR has impacted fleet managers

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) officially came into force on May 25th, 2018. The intention of this regulation is to strengthen and group data protection laws throughout the EU, providing citizens with more control over how their personal data is collected, processed and managed. 

GDPR applies to any organisation – globally – that processes the personal data of EU citizens. This has forced many fleet managers, who handle commercial driver data, to reconsider their operational processes. 

These changes to data protection laws are an evolution rather than revolution but can still impact some significant areas of fleet operations. 

• The ramifications of GDPR
• Ten tips for GDPR compliance
• Cisco backs US GDPR calls

Driver data

A vast number of fleet managers use driver data to maximise route efficiency, company productivity and fleet sustainability. GDPR, however, states that the collection of data – and the processing of it – must identify a ‘legal basis’. This means that fleet managers must have a documented process in place that identifies the legal basis for managing driver data.

The scope of what is classed as driver data has now been expanded to include personal info such as a driver’s name and identification number to any data stored on telematics systems. It is, therefore, crucial that the information gathered is justified and d