Who are VOSA?

On the 1st April 2003 The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) was established by merging the former Vehicle Inspectorate and the Traffic Area Network Division of the Department for Transport.

VOSA provides a range of licensing, testing and enforcement services with the aim of improving the roadworthiness standards of vehicles ensuring the compliance of operators and drivers with road traffic legislation, and supporting the independent Traffic Commissioners.

VOSA is accountable to the Secretary of State for Transport and works closely with other agencies of the Department for Transport (DfT), local authorities & other government departments to deliver services effectively.

VOSA's activities support the following people and organisations

• The Road Haulage and Public Service Vehicle Industries
• Vocational Drivers
• MOT garages
• Private vehicle owners and the related trade associations
• Vehicle manufacturers and importers
• Traffic Commissioners
• The Courts
• The Police
• The Public

VOSA activities

Providing administrative support to the Traffic Commissioners in considering and processing applications for licences to operate heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles. This ensures that licence holders meet the standards set for entry into the commercial vehicle operator industry and seeks to minimise the environmental and road safety impact around goods vehicle operating centres.

Testing and Inspections

Conducting statutory annual testing for goods vehicles and public service vehicles at 91 VOSA test stations and at private sector owned approved testing premises (designated premises). Specialist inspection of vehicles e.g. certification of public service vehicles before they enter service, inspections of imported and amateur built vehicles to ensure that they comply with acceptable safety and environmental standards (Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) and Motorcycle Single Vehicle approval (MSVA)); inspections to check the identity of written off vehicles that are returned to the road (Vehicle Identity Check (VIC))

Enforcement, Compliance and Bus regulation

Supporting the Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing; vocational drivers and bus registration requirements; identifying operators against whom it may be appropriate to take disciplinary action by gathering and evaluating a range of data. Conducting routine and targeted checks of operators' premises and systems designed to check compliance with other road traffic legislation, e.g. drivers' hours, at the roadside and at operators' premises.

Approving applications from operators wanting to run heavy goods vehicles at increased weights. Administering Vocational Driver Conduct cases referred by DVLA and where vocational drivers have committed non-endorsable road traffic offences and enforcing compliance with the approved Driving Instructor (ADI) scheme.

Providing administrative support to the Traffic Commissioners in the registration of local bus services and also monitoring the compliance of local bus operators with their registered timetables.

MOT

Supervising the MOT scheme to ensure that the 19,000 MOT garages authorised to carry out MOT’s are doing so to the correct standards. This is done by approving and training Authorised Examiners (AEs) and Nominated Testers (NTs) to carry out MOT tests; monitoring standards of MOT garages and tests; providing seminars and other advisory services and, where necessary, taking disciplinary action, to improve testing standards and to raise the levels of compliance.

Accident Investigation and Technical research

Undertaking technical investigations into potential manufacturing or design defects, highlighting safety concerns and monitoring safety recalls. Supporting the Police by examining vehicles involved in accidents to identify contributory defects.

How will VOSA effect me as a minibus driver or operator?

VOSA examiners also have the power to stop your minibus (opens new window) at will, for a roadside inspection to ensure the roadworthiness of the vehicle. Police have, for many years now, been supporting VOSA examiners by stopping vehicles for "spot checks" to ensure vehicles comply with roadworthiness and road traffic legislation. Minibuses owned and operated by charities, non-profit organisations and local authorities are also subject to spot checks.

The Police Reform Act 2002 allows Chief Officers to accredit other persons or organisations to stop vehicles. VOSA's accreditation, backed up by specialist training, allows its staff to stop vehicles without a police officer in support, and enables the Police to concentrate on their other priorities including road casualty reduction and tackling crime and disorder. Subject to Chief Officers' agreement VOSA's powers will gradually be rolled out throughout England and Wales.

Why will VOSA be stopping minibuses?

There are a number of reasons why VOSA examiners will be stopping minibuses and other vehicles in checks across England and Wales. These checks will be focused on vehicle maintenance, safety and exhaust emissions.

Minibus maintenance and safety

Everyone who uses a minibus on the road is required to keep it in a roadworthy condition in the interests of road safety and environmental protection. The fuel system, seat belts, steering, mirrors, brakes, tyres and lights can all be checked to ensure they meet current legal requirements.

Exhaust emissions checks

One of the most important ways to protect the environment is to ensure that a minibus meets exhaust emissions requirements for its age and class. Polluting vehicles, which fail this test, will be removed from the road. Emissions tests are carried out using equipment similar to that used in MOT garages.

What are the consequences if the minibus fails any tests?

If a serious defect is found with your minibus a prohibition notice will be issued. The prohibition is a legally enforceable ban on driving the minibus on the road. For very serious breaches the ban can be immediate, but where there is no immediate danger to other road users or passengers the ban can be delayed for up to 10 days. This gives you time to rectify the fault and arrange to have your vehicle re-examined (normally this will require you to obtain a new MOT certificate) before the prohibition can be removed. In some cases serious defects can bring court prosecutions, resulting in penalty points, fines or both.

Find out more by coming along to one of our Minibus Road Safety training, and find out how VOSA will effect you as a minibus driver ...it may save you some penalty points endorsed on your licence.