Site Visits

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) are involved in a number of schemes which involve site visits to ensure road safety and environmental regulations are being maintained. These include:

Inspecting and Approving Tachograph Calibrating Centres

VOSA supervises standards at Britain's privately owned installation and calibration centres by carrying out inspection visits. In 1998/99 there were 478 manufacturer-sponsored and 35 independent tachograph centres compared with 469 and 35 respectively in 1997/98. Action to rectify noncompliance is agreed during these VOSA visits with formal action required in exceptional cases. Work is also undertaken on behalf of the Driver, Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Transport Research Foundation.

Operating Centre Reviews

When any operator applies for an Operating Licence, their centre must meet environmental standards, and not interfere with any of the local amenities. More is explained in Operating Centre Requirements. Our staff also visit new licence holders to provide advice and education to prevent offences being committed through ignorance and, in the process, to help improve compliance.

VOSA also complete a number of unannounced operator visits, based on operator targeting reports made available to the individual enforcement offices.

MOT Test Station Approval

Prior to a MOT Test Station opening for business, VOSA undertake inspections at all premises to ensure they meet MOT premise and equipment specifications. More detail can be found in Applying to be an MOT Test Centre.

Page last updated: 14/11/2005