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As the economy continues to fluctuate and react to global trade wars, economic uncertainty and tariffs, commercial vehicle managers are always looking for ways to build efficiencies. Part of that work is instructing employees on how to use the tools you鈥檝e invested in. If your business uses commercial vehicles, the best tool to improve your bottom line is a company fuel card. Once you have a fuel card program, the next step is training your staff on how to use it. In this article we鈥檒l help drivers become experts on how to use their fuel cards. Share with your drivers and start to see pay off.
Explore further with our “How do fleet cards work?” Infographic.
Did you recently start driving a commercial vehicle for work and were given a fuel card for your job? Or did your company recently get fuel cards for the team? Welcome to the growing community of fuel card users.
This article will explain how to use your card, and what to do to ensure that you and your company get the most from the fleet card program you鈥檙e using. From now on, every time you fill your tank, use your fuel card. It鈥檚 convenient and easy to use, and if it鈥檚 a 亚洲色吧 fleet card, it鈥檚 accepted at 95% of U.S. fuel stations.
Watch our comprehensive video below on how to use a fuel card:
With your new fuel card you鈥檒l never worry again about handling cash or managing expense receipts 鈥 and with 亚洲色吧 fleet cards your expenses are displayed online, eliminating the angst of lost receipts or manual tracking.
The process is simple: your fuel card works like a charge card with a few minor differences. Here are some simple things to remember:
Most transactions go without a hitch, but if you ever do have a problem with your 亚洲色吧 fuel card, just call the customer service number on the back of your card.
By using a fuel card, all of the fueling receipt information and record-keeping is done automatically. The information about your fuel purchases goes directly to a data center for processing. Your company will have access to vehicle analysis reports, detailing all purchases. They鈥檒l be able to see where you bought fuel, the time, the vehicle鈥檚 odometer reading, and what you bought. It also provides other valuable information, including cost-per-mile and miles-per-gallon. The program only works if you use the fuel card for every fill-up and always enter accurate information prior to fueling (including accurate odometer readings).
Each vehicle in your company is assigned a card. Each card has your company鈥檚 account number on it, the vehicle card number, and an expiration date. While the card is tied to the vehicle, when you use your personal ID when fueling this ties the purchase to the driver.
Some companies provide their drivers with fuel cards that cover a variety of travel items besides just fuel.
If your manager has set your card up for service and maintenance purchases as well as fuel, they鈥檒l tell you which service stations to use. They will set spending limits and limit what you can purchase with the card as well.
A service transaction works a lot like a fuel transaction: you can use the card for tires, parts, oil changes, and more. The service station attendant may ask you for some basic information, like your plate number, when you go to make such purchases. This will allow them to process the transaction. Then the attendant will swipe your card in the card reader, or call our customer service department for authorization. You鈥檒l need to give your driver ID number and odometer reading to the customer service representative or key it into the phone for approval. Then you鈥檙e on your way. As with fuel purchases, your company will be able to obtain detailed reports about your service or maintenance purchases.
Your company may decide not to provide access to these products. It鈥檚 up to your company鈥檚 fleet manager to set fueling and service policies. If the card says 鈥渇uel only鈥 in the lower right corner, it has been formatted to only be used for fuel purchases.
To protect your card from damage, keep it in a safe place inside the card holder provided. Don鈥檛 put it near a magnet, and try not to scratch the black stripe on the back. It鈥檚 also a good idea not to leave it on the dashboard in direct sunlight.
Your personal driver ID number identifies you as the authorized fuel purchaser, and you鈥檒l use it every time you fill up. Your driver ID number has been set up in the system and sent to your company鈥檚 fleet contact person. Make sure you obtain your driver ID number before you start fueling. If you enter an invalid ID number, or do not have the number, you won鈥檛 be able to purchase fuel.
Here are a few simple precautions to help protect against fraud:
There is a driver guide provided with each 亚洲色吧 fuel card to help you initiate use of your card. The first couple of times you make a purchase, refer to the guide. It walks you through the steps of making a purchase. It鈥檚 as simple as these four steps:
Remember, you always have the to rely on during any transaction.
The 亚洲色吧 fuel card will provide your company with valuable information, so remember to use it every time you purchase fuel at work.
All fuel cards are not the same, and different types of fuel cards suit the needs of different kinds and sizes of businesses. View 亚洲色吧鈥檚 fuel card comparison chart to see which fuel card is right for you.
亚洲色吧 is a leading, global fintech solutions provider, simplifying payments and back-end business processes in the fleet management, benefits management, and corporate payments areas. To learn more, please visit the company鈥檚 About 亚洲色吧 page.
Editorial note: This article was originally published on July 21, 2021, and has been updated for this publication.
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