Welcome to the fleet world! You probably didn’t dream about becoming a fleet manager as a kid. No one asked 10-year-old you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and heard, “A CAFM-certified, data-driven leader of municipal assets!” But here you are—and you’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.
Let’s break it all down.
Short answer: Don’t panic.
Longer answer: Realize that most people in your shoes didn’t plan this either. You’re in good company.
Start by identifying your strengths and your gaps. Did you come from the shop floor? You probably know the mechanical side, but need help with budgeting, reporting, and leadership. Did you come from IT or accounting? You likely understand spreadsheets but have no idea what VMRS codes are or why air brakes on a Camry are… not a thing. (True story. Listen to Episode 171 of The Fleet Success Show for that gem.)
Whatever your background, step one is awareness, and step two is filling the gap—which brings us to...
Because no one goes to school for fleet management, finding the right training and resources is essential to your success as a new fleet manager.
There’s plenty of training—and no, you don’t have to go back to college (unless you really want to).
These programs give you a fleet-focused education that actually applies to your job (read: no world history classes).
Other great resources to help you find your feet as a new fleet manager include:
Not at first. Kidding. (Kind of.)
Here’s the thing: credibility is earned—not by pretending you know everything, but by being curious and humble. Shadow a technician. Ask them to explain what they’re doing and why. No, you don’t have to become a mechanic, but if you’re managing a shop, you need to understand what’s happening in it.
You’re not there to turn wrenches—you’re there to remove roadblocks so your team can.
Two words: Intentional Culture.
At RTA, we preach that leadership isn’t just about being the boss. It’s about coaching, communication, and creating a culture where people actually want to do good work.
Here’s what helps:
Also: don’t just lead from your desk. Walk the floor. Ask questions. Be human.
Kinda, yeah.
As a fleet manager, you touch more business disciplines than most managers: finance, HR, logistics, safety, procurement—you name it. So yes, understanding cost accounting, chargeback rates, and utilization metrics matters. But don’t stress. You’ll learn.
Start with:
Funny you should ask! We literally wrote the book on it: The Fleet Success Playbook.
It covers the four pillars of modern fleet management:
Think of it as your fleet survival guide—minus the mosquitoes and camping stove.
Glad you asked. Fleet is one of the most collaborative industries out there. Seriously, people love to share what works (and what doesn’t).
Here’s how to network:
Whether you’re new to fleet or just want to stop faking it in meetings, Connect 2025 is the event for you. Get real-world training, network with fellow fleet pros, and hear from the experts who’ve been there and done that.
🗓️ September 22–26, 2025
📍 Las Vegas, NV
🎯 Info: RTAfleeet.com/connect
You didn’t choose the fleet life. But now that you’re here? You’ve got an opportunity to lead one of the most critical, complex, and impactful operations in any organization.
Get educated. Stay humble. Ask questions. And don’t forget to walk the shop floor.
We’ll be rooting for you—every mile of the way.