In February, I told you that we’d be running the earned recognition pilot in the spring and that I’d share more information about the pilot and how you can apply closer to the launch.
In this blog, l’ll explain the criteria for being on the pilot and let you know how you can register your interest in taking part.
How do I know if I’m suitable for the pilot?
We’re looking for operators who can demonstrate high standards of compliance. We’ll need a variety of different lorry, bus and coach operators to take part in the trial and these will need to range from large multi-vehicle companies to the one vehicle operator.
You must also have:
- held an operator’s licence for at least 2 years
- had no regulatory action by a Traffic Commissioner for at least 2 years, other than warnings
- an electronic management systems for maintenance and drivers’ hours which can track your KPIs and report exceptions automatically
If you want to take part in the pilot, your IT supplier needs to make sure that they’ve registered their systems with DVSA and can report KPIs. If they haven’t, you’ll need to ask them to email remote.compliance@vosa.gsi.gov.uk for details of the system specification, or you won’t be able to take part in the pilot.
If you control multiple operator licences, you’ll only be considered on the business as a whole, not on individual licences.
Audit standards
To take part in the pilot you’ll also need to meet our audit standards.
To get a copy of these and other relevant documents, you’ll need to email us at distribution@vosa.gsi.gov.uk.
You’ll then be sent:
- HGV and PSV audit standards
- the guidance document for the pilot
- the terms and conditions
- a self-assessment form
Once you’ve submitted the self-assessment form, and we’ve confirmed your eligibility, you’ll be sent an application to take part in the pilot.
What next?
We’ll then cross check your application against enforcement history, information held by the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, and compliance with the KPIs.
If your application is successful, you’ll need to arrange and pay for an audit. We’ll send you a list of suitable audit providers. They’ll look at the processes involved in your transport management systems and how you manage them.
When the audit is complete, we’ll receive a copy of the report from the audit provider and we’ll share the results with you.
During the pilot
During the pilot, you won’t be able to publicise that you’re taking part. Our roadside enforcement teams also won’t be aware which operators are taking part.
So, your vehicles will still be inspected as normal as part of our roadside enforcement checks.
However, if the earned recognition concept goes live and you successfully complete the pilot, you’ll automatically earn a place on the scheme. This will mean the agency will be much less likely to stop you at the roadside, saving you time and money.
Haven’t we already piloted this?
We’ve already reviewed elements of the earned recognition concept, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) IT and audit suppliers, but we’ve not run a live pilot yet.
Now we’re piloting the concept from start to finish so that we can make sure it works before launching the full programme. We’ll carry out a full review once it’s complete, and we’ll ask for feedback from anyone who's taken part.
Commercial Vehicle Show 2017
If you’d like an opportunity to come and talk to us about the pilot and the process of applying, we’ll be at at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 25 – 27 April 2017. We’ll be in Hall 5 - Stand 5J40.
4 comments
Comment by Trevor posted on
It would be interesting to know how many PSV operators are taking part in the pilot? Also any results or anomalies discovered so far?
Comment by James Travers posted on
As a ex police officer the most received complaint is of heavy vehicles tail gate-ing smaller vehicles in the inside lanes of motorways. Why cant there not be a device which records on the taco graph if a heavy vehicle at the registered speed of the road tailgates and will show when they are too near to the vehicle in front thus trying to intimidate thus in the event of a accident would provide evidence of cause
Comment by Joe OLeary posted on
What cost would be involved in the trial audit
Comment by Colin posted on
This is fine for big companies, but could there be a watered down version for owner operators or perhaps up to 3 licences?