The work of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is responsible for enforcing standards of roadworthiness for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and public service vehicles (PSV). It does this primarily through licensing and testing. Our report examines how well VOSA is meeting its testing responsibilities; the effectiveness of its enforcement methodology; its relationship with the Traffic Commissioners; and how it will implement the new HGV Road User Levy Act.

Since 2010 VOSA has sought gradually to replace its own testing sites with Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) which are run by private sector owners but rely on VOSA’s staff to carry out tests. We have broadly welcomed VOSA’s approach to this transition but have concerns over the pace of change, in particular VOSA’s ability to provide testing staff to new ATFs and how it can ensure smaller operators have access to ATFs, especially in remote areas.

We are not persuaded that testing staff should be employed directly by ATFs. We believe that VOSA’s testing staff are performing well in maintaining high standards of roadworthiness and would not like to see this jeopardised. However we recommend that VOSA works with its trade unions to achieve more flexibility in terms of when testing slots can be provided, particularly in the evenings and at weekends.

VOSA has done well to tackle non-compliance with roadworthiness standards, particularly with regards to non-GB registered vehicles. However we heard evidence that VOSA may be targeting smaller operators who are less frequently on the road instead of larger, more established operators. We recommend that VOSA enhance its targeting methods to ensure it takes a more industry-wide approach to enforcement.

The Department for Transport and VOSA have made efforts to lead on improving road safety standards at European Union level. One of the results of these efforts has been the creation of an EU-wide database of operators’ safety records. In recent months, VOSA has been able to access this information which it can use for enforcement purposes at the roadside. This is particularly useful against offences relating to drivers’ hours which are increasingly of concern. We support these measures and other efforts to strengthen ways to prosecute offenders and see potential for more effective working relationships with the police and other agencies.

We are particularly concerned by VOSA’s relationship with the Traffic Commissioners, despite recent efforts to improve this.

The Traffic Commissioners are responsible for regulating bus services but rely on VOSA staff to monitor vehicle maintenance standards and punctuality. In 2011, VOSA changed its approach to this work by moving away from actively monitoring punctuality towards working with bus operators and local transport authorities on improving policy and processes. The Senior Traffic Commissioner expressed concerns about this change. We also heard that outside London, the only source of reliable data on bus punctuality is held by bus operators but there is often a reluctance to make this available to the Traffic Commissioners. We recommend that, if necessary, the Government should step in to 4 ensure the Traffic Commissioners’have access to this information.

We identified worrying communication problems between the VOSA and the Traffic Commissioners which must be resolved urgently. There has also been slow progress in improving the Traffic Commissioner’s ICT licensing system which both the Traffic Commissioners and industry has found frustrating. In broader terms we have questioned whether the Traffic Commissioners’ reliance on VOSA staff is undermining the Commissioners’ independence. We recommend that the Government consult on the Traffic Commissioners having their own staff independent of VOSA.

The HGV Road User Levy Act provides for the introduction of an HGV road user levy from April 2014. We expect the Government to implement the levy with wider enforcement concerns in mind, for example using it to help better monitor overseas vehicles using UK roads. We have concerns that enforcing the levy will have an impact on VOSA’s other enforcement activities and have asked the Government to examine whether part of the proceeds of the levy could be used to fund its enforcement and provide adequate staff.