An ageing driver population is beginning to significantly influence how company fleets are structured and managed across the UK, according to fleet specialist Grosvenor Group.
Drawing on data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the National Travel Survey, the company identified a clear demographic shift among licence holders. The findings show that nearly one-third (32.8%) of UK driving licences are now held by people aged 60 and above, while those aged 17 to 24 make up just 7%.
This imbalance reflects a broader “generational tilt” that is reshaping the fleet sector, with businesses needing to adapt to a workforce that is both ageing and increasingly diverse in its mobility needs. The study also highlighted the rising cost of getting behind the wheel, with first-year driving expenses now estimated to range from £7,352 to £10,852, a figure influenced by tighter DVLA test booking rules introduced in March 2026.
At the same time, the number of company car drivers has rebounded, reaching 840,000, up from a low of 720,000 in 2021. Grosvenor attributes this growth partly to the appeal of salary sacrifice schemes and a return to company car programmes, driven by favourable benefit-in-kind tax rates for electric vehicles.
To remain competitive in attracting and retaining employees, the company says businesses must rethink traditional fleet models. This includes adopting digital tools, embracing micro-mobility options, and integrating “Mobility as a Service” (MaaS) solutions into travel strategies.
Earlier this year, Grosvenor introduced its Vista platform, designed to help organisations plan for the future of fleet management. The system focuses on eight key areas, including policy, infrastructure, technology, financial considerations, and sustainability.
Steve Beadle, head of Vista at Grosvenor, said: “We are seeing a shift in the very culture of the fleet. With the influx of affordable EV brands and the growth of used EV leasing, basic-rate taxpayers are now accessing brand-new technology that would be financially out of reach privately.
Future decarbonisation and mobility strategies will only succeed if the workforce embraces them and overcomes the human barrier to fleet evolution by the approach to fleet management.”
The Vista service is intended to support fleet managers in developing more flexible travel frameworks that go beyond traditional company cars, incorporating grey fleet use and alternative transport options.
It also aims to help businesses balance the needs of different generations within the workforce, ranging from older employees with established driving habits to younger, more digitally focused staff.
Beadle added: “Fleet strategy is no longer just about the vehicle on the driveway; it’s about the person behind the wheel. Through Vista, we help companies bridge the gap between traditional fleet expectations and the ‘on-demand’ culture of the next generation. By balancing the needs of a diverse workforce with sustainability goals, we turn cultural resistance into a competitive advantage.”