In a fuel transport environment where risk exposure is high and margins for error are minimal, the Formula Engen, Driver of the Year (DOTY) competition has become a critical lever for reinforcing safety discipline, operational consistency and professional driving standards across its fleet.

The most recent Formula Engen Awards in late 2025, themed Fuel the Drive to Excellence, brought colleagues together at a gala event to recognise outstanding performance across safety, capability, customer service, operations and leadership. The evening included a keynote address by George Roberts, Engen CEO and Executive Vice President (EVP) South for Vivo Energy, who congratulated the winners and acknowledged the critical role played by Bulk Truck Operators (BTOs) in maintaining safe and reliable operations.

At the centre of the DOTY competition are the drivers themselves. Following a rigorous qualification and assessment process, 24 drivers progressed to the national finals, representing the highest-performing Bulk Truck Operators across Engen’s transport network. From this elite group, top honours were awarded to Johnysa Pearce, named Driver of the Year – Rigid, from Engen’s Cape Town Terminal in Montague Gardens, and Ernest Ledimo, awarded Driver of the Year – Semi, from the company’s Johannesburg Terminal in Langlaagte. Their achievements highlight what is possible when driver competence, system support and a strong safety culture are aligned.

For Engen, DOTY is not an annual event, but an operational tool embedded within its Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) framework. The competition reinforces consistent standards across depots and regions, while validating driver capability against real operating risks.

“The Driver of the Year programme is about setting clear, consistent standards for how fuel transport should be conducted,” says Bonnie Moyo, Engen Transport and Distribution Manager. “It reinforces the behaviours that reduce risk on the road - from vehicle checks and defensive driving to emergency preparedness and professional conduct. By measuring and recognising excellence, we strengthen our safety culture across the entire transport operation.”

As Driver of the Year – Rigid, Johnysa Pearce demonstrated consistently high performance across technical, safety and behavioural criteria. His disciplined approach to pre-trip inspections, procedural compliance and defensive driving reflects the level of focus required to manage daily operational risk.

“The DOTY competition reinforces habits that are critical on the road,” says Pearce. “It’s about checking your vehicle properly, following procedures and staying alert, even when conditions are challenging. Those disciplines reduce risk and keep everyone safer.”

He adds that the strength of the programme lies in its realism. “The assessments mirror what we face in real life. When you’re transporting fuel, there is no room for complacency. The competition keeps standards high and reminds us of the responsibility we carry.”

In the Semi category, Ernest Ledimo emerged as the top performer, demonstrating exceptional vehicle control, spatial awareness and composure under pressure. Articulated fuel tankers introduce additional operational complexity, making precision handling and emergency preparedness essential competencies.

“Driving a semi tanker demands constant awareness,” Ledimo explains. “The competition tests how you respond under pressure and how well you understand your vehicle. That translates directly into safer driving on public roads.”

He also emphasises the importance of system-wide support. “Drivers don’t operate in isolation. Safe outcomes depend on the depot, workshop and scheduling teams working together. DOTY highlights how important that alignment is.”

“The DOTY assessment framework is closely aligned to real operating conditions,” adds Moyo. “Drivers are evaluated on theoretical knowledge, HSEQ requirements, alongside practical competencies such as vehicle inspections, precision manoeuvring and defensive driving techniques.”

A key focus area is emergency preparedness, which includes live fire-fighting simulations and scenario-based response exercises. These assessments test not only technical skill, but decision-making, communication and adherence to protocol under stress. Customer-site behaviour and professional conduct also form part of the evaluation, reinforcing the importance of compliance beyond the road environment.

Only drivers who demonstrate consistent excellence across all disciplines progress to the national finals, strengthening the credibility and value of the DOTY title.

While DOTY places drivers in the spotlight, the Formula Engen Awards event recognises that fleet safety is the outcome of a broader operational ecosystem. Depot management, workshop maintenance, scheduling accuracy and customer service processes all directly influence driver performance and risk exposure.

By rewarding and recognising excellence across these functions, Engen reinforces the principle that safety begins long before a vehicle leaves the depot. This integrated approach supports preventative maintenance, realistic scheduling and consistent operational controls — all key pillars of effective fleet risk management.

The DOTY programme plays a meaningful role in reinforcing Engen’s commitment to road safety. By setting clear performance benchmarks, identifying best practice and rewarding excellence, it contributes to reduced incident rates, improved compliance and a stronger safety culture across the fleet.

For fleet operators, the Formula Engen Driver of the Year competition offers a compelling case study in how structured assessment and recognition can elevate safety performance. While trophies may be awarded once a year, the operational benefits - safer journeys, stronger discipline and improved accountability - are realised every day.