This guide provides you with best practice advice on the responsibilities that an operator or driver has to ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles. It also covers what you are legally required to do and gives information on where to seek additional help, including technical assistance or training.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has produced this guide to explain the responsibilities and systems involved in maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy condition, regardless of operating conditions, fleet size or vehicle type. The procedures and systems explained in this guide are useful for operators, drivers and all those who are responsible for operating, maintaining or providing commercial goods and passenger carrying vehicles. The general principles apply equally to light goods and passenger vehicles below the operator licensing thresholds and for vehicles that are otherwise exempt. If you need help interpreting this document, please see below.
If you are a new operator, you will find practical advice on how to devise, install and monitor a system for ensuring roadworthiness. If you follow the advice given in this guide, you can make sure you are complying with the law and that your compliance can be monitored and controlled.
If you are an established or experienced vehicle operator, you will be able to use this guide as a benchmark to assess whether your systems are sufficiently comprehensive or should be reviewed and improved in order to maintain compliance. This guidance applies to you whether you carry out your own maintenance, contract out maintenance or do a combination of both. DVSA do not specifically define a new or experienced vehicle operator because what constitutes an experienced operator could vary. You can verify this by purchasing our Maintaning Roadworthiness Audit for £975.
Have one of our local Transport Consultants visit and prepare all the operator licence, vehicle, and driver record files that are necessary to demonstrate compliance with the licence conditions and undertakings. And benefit from expert advice and guidance on managing your vehicles and drivers.
