CLOCS and FORS: All You Need To Know

If you operate commercial vehicles in the UK, you've likely encountered CLOCS and FORS. Both are industry standards designed to improve road safety and operational quality, but they serve different purposes and apply in different contexts.

What Is FORS?

FORS (the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) is a voluntary accreditation programme for fleet operators. It sets standards across safety, fuel efficiency, environment, and driver welfare, and awards accreditation at three levels. Bronze is the entry level, requiring operators to demonstrate compliance with legal requirements and basic safety standards. Silver builds on Bronze with additional requirements around fuel efficiency, emissions, and driver training. Gold is the highest level, requiring ongoing improvement, benchmarking, and exemplary standards across all areas.

FORS accreditation is often a requirement for contractors working on major construction projects or for operators seeking certain contracts with public sector clients.

What Is CLOCS?

CLOCS (Construction Logistics and Community Safety) is a programme specifically focused on the relationship between construction vehicles and vulnerable road users including cyclists and pedestrians. Developed in response to serious incidents involving construction vehicles in urban areas, CLOCS sets standards for how construction sites and their logistics suppliers manage vehicle movements near vulnerable road users. It operates as a standard that construction clients, principal contractors, and logistics operators all sign up to, creating a shared commitment to safety across the supply chain.

How They Interact

FORS and CLOCS are complementary. Many construction logistics operators hold FORS Silver or Gold accreditation as a requirement of CLOCS compliance. Together, they represent a comprehensive framework for responsible fleet operation in the construction sector.