VOSA advice and guidance

The BVRLA works closely with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency to assist members with compliance and to address future policy changes which will affect members.  We attend regular policy meetings, develop and review the existing service level agreements, shape the future of testing at customers’ sites and work in conjunction with other trade associations to lobby VOSA for policy changes. We have provided below an overview of our key interactions with VOSA.

To access the legislative and policy changes which we are lobbying VOSA on please see the quick links box.

Latest news

OCRS score changes

The Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) was introduced by VOSA in 2006 as a mechanism to calculate the likelihood of an operator being non compliant. OCRS scores are used at the roadside by VOSA examiners to identify which vehicles should be checked using the following criteria:

 Red - Full check to be carried out.

 Amber - Full check to be carried out unless higher scoring vehicles available.

 Green - No check unless either no other higher scoring vehicle or obvious defect or offence.

Following a review by VOSA a number of changes are being made to the OCRS score.  Firstly, from 1 July 2010 the colour risk bands will be equalized for roadworthiness and traffic, whilst increasing the size of the red band slightly.  The second change will be the introduction of Graduated Fixed Penalty and Deposit (GFPD) data into the OCRS scoring process, which is proposed for later in the 2010/11 financial year.  For full details of the change click the link below:

Changes to the OCRS score

HGV conspicuity requirements deferred to 2011

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Paul Clark, has announced that to reduce the regulatory costs for vehicle manufacturers and the haulage industry, conspicuity or retro-reflective markings will not become mandatory for new vehicle registrations, at least until 10 July 2011. VOSA will therefore not make any changes to the test scheme relating to conspicuity marking from October 2010, as was previously planned.   However, if members have chosen to fit conspicuity markings to the rear of vehicles instead of rear marker plates the vehicle will not fail at annual test or be subject to enforcement action.  For full details see VOSA's memo on the subject:

VOSA enforcement guidance on conspicuity markings

Search online for a Designated Premises near you

Before you book your commercial vehicle for a test, have you considered all of the options?

You may have more choice than you think. VOSA testing staff do not just work at VOSA sites. They also work at non-VOSA sites, Designated Premises (DPs), which may be closer to where you maintain your vehicle.

You can use the Business Link website to search for VOSA test stations and DPs at which to test your HGV / PSV vehicles. DPs listed on-line are grouped according to VOSA Test Station areas. This on-line search facility is being updated on a regular basis, so if a list of DPs in your area is not yet covered, please check at a later date.

Search now for a DP near you

Graduated fixed penalty and deposit scheme

Under legislation, which came into force on 1 April 2009, VOSA and the Police have powers to issue on the spot fines or immobilise/seize vehicles. These new powers are primarily targeted at foreign drivers, but will also catch UK drivers who commit a variety of motoring offences. For full details please access our fact sheet: Graduated fixed penalty and deposit scheme

Retrofitting mirrors to HGV

New requirements which came into force on 1 April 2009,  mean that goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and  first registered from 1 January 2000 will need to have mirrors, or other devices, on the passenger side, to improve the driver's indirect field of view. Extra checks are now carried out on mirrors at the annual test and you may need to complete a self-declaration certificate. To access VOSA’s advice on mirrors please click on the link below: VOSA guidance on mirrors.

Stanmore meetings

These oddly titled meetings, so called because Stanmore used to be the meeting location, are the industry’s opportunity to get an update on the latest policy proposals and changes from VOSA. They are held twice a year and at the last meeting the following were discussed: 

• Authorised test facilities. Read more
• Headlamp aim – The changes to the annual test for headlamp aim have been a success and the number of annual test failures has reduced dramatically since the beginning of the year. 
• Guide to maintaining road worthiness – VOSA is undertaking a comprehensive review of this guide which provides valuable guidelines to the level of vehicle maintenance required to ensure a pass under the BVRLA’s commercial vehicle quality assurance inspection programme. A copy of the guide can be accessed from this link: VOSA Guide to Maintaining Road Worthiness

Service level agreement

In 2008 the BVRLA, along with FTA, RHA, CPT and RMIF signed a service level agreement with VOSA covering testing and inspections.  The service level agreements provided an excellent opportunity for us to put in place standards which all parties agreed to with the aim of improving the first time pass rate at annual test and more targeted road side enforcement.

The SLA’s can be accessed below:
Enforcement SLA
Testing SLA

The SLAs are a moveable feast and we regularly meet to measure the success and look at new activities which can help achieve the aspirations set out in the SLAs. If you have any suggestions for the SLAs or improvements which can be made to VOSA’s approach to enforcement or testing please email amanda@bvrla.co.uk.

VOSA Moving On

VOSA's publication titled 'Moving On', is a quarterly newsletter for HGV and PSV drivers and operators. It provides an overview of the latest VOSA policy and legislation changes affecting heavy goods and passenger vehicles. For a copy of the latest and previous editions of this publication please click on the following external link VOSA Moving On

Further advice

The following fact sheets cover VOSA related issues: