DVSA Earned Recognition

The DVSA (Driving Vehicle Standards Agency) is a government agency that are sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT).

After a pilot, they have now implemented the DVSA Earned Recognition scheme for both goods vehicle and passenger vehicle operators. The scheme is completely voluntary, but for those who apply and gain recognition, can reap some benefits.

Operators who apply for the Earned Recognition scheme (and subsequently continue to keep accreditation) will need to prove and demonstrate a certain level of compliance to set standards. These standards are then remotely monitored by DVSA.

How does DVSA monitor the compliance? What standards? What benefits? Read on to find out more.

The situation currently is that DVSA have their work cut out monitoring and enforcing legislation on our roads across Britain. When vehicles are stopped, or operators audited or investigated, time and money is spent across industry as well as their own resources.

The DVSA Earned Recognition scheme has been designed to give operators the benefit of spending less time dealing with enforcement and monitoring issues, and more time doing what they do best – running an exemplary fleet operation.

By applying and gaining Earned Recognition status, operators will ultimately benefit from:

As part of the Earned Recognition scheme, operators must have a DVSA approved IT system (usually part of their Tachograph Analysis system).

The IT system will send a snapshot every 4 weeks to DVSA showing your missed KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). The KPIs are based on measures for the Maintenance and Driving Activities. NOTE: DVSA does not have direct access or view of your actual data other than these KPIs when they are sent them.

As part of the application procedure operators will also need to arrange an audit with an DVSA approved auditor such as Keep Legal. Keep Legal or or chosen auditor will conduct an initial audit sampling the business. This will then sent to DVSA to make a final decision. Audits will then be conducted every 2 years.

If you have been an operator of goods vehicles or passenger vehicles for at least 2 years, and have not had any regulatory notices against any of your Company operator licences in the last 2 years, goods news! You are eligible.

All you need to do is apply using the Application Form available from DVSA. We would recommend following the guidance and also completing the DVSA Earned Recognition Scheme Self Assessment Check List available at the same link.

Best of all, other than the audits and IT systems previously mentioned, the application itself is FREE!

Keep Legal has the privilege of being one of 21 accredited DVSA Earned Recognition auditors in the UK. (as of 1st May 2020)

We also offer accredited DVSA Earned Recognition IT systems that can be used to form part of your application.
With the ability to offer the whole package, Keep Legal is best equipped to guide you through the whole process from start to finish.

For more information, make sure you read the DVSA Earned Recognition: Guide to the Scheme or feel free to contact us.