Required elements of the earned recognition scheme
The DVSA’s Earned Recognition Scheme is a voluntary scheme for all operators who can demonstrate a strong track record of compliance and adherence to standards.
Our latest blog looks at the required elements of the scheme and how we can help.
DVSA Earned Recognition is open to all GB operator licence holders who meet the following criteria:
· The operator must have held an operators licence for a minimum of 2 years before an application to join the DVSA Earned Recognition Scheme can be made
· Full compliance in all aspects of the operator licences involved in the application
· The operator must have fully electronic management systems for drivers hours that will alert the operator and DVSA of compliance issues and of the following options for reporting maintenance KPI’s.
o Fully digital electronic approved reporting systems for maintenance KPI’s
o Manual maintenance/vehicle systems alongside an electronic system or a mixture of both which can be internal and an external approved system(s). All systems need to be validated by the DVSA ER team and confirmed as part of the audit process.
o Maintenance and vehicle reporting information through the submission of a digital Earned Recognition KPI Aggregator Form (ERKAF) form.
· A history of good compliance measured against DfT’s National Fleet Compliance Survey and with no regulatory action by a Traffic Commissioner for at least 2 years other than warnings.
· A legal entity controlling multiple operator licences can only be considered for accreditation on the business as a whole and not on individual licences. Operators that hold multiple licences must report the data for all the operator licences that are in their control
· An organisation containing multiple legal entities operating under one group using the same management systems and measures may choose to make a single group application. The audit standards and key performance indicators would apply and be measured over the group as a whole. An individual legal entity cannot be removed from the group accreditation unless it changes ownership or ceases to exist.
· DVSA must be notified of any material changes to the legal entity of the accredited operator. Accredited operators acquiring a business, which is an operator licence holder but not accredited into the scheme and incorporated into the legal entity or in the case of a group accreditation part of the group, must meet the Earned Recognition standard by the next periodic audit or as agreed with DVSA. During this period, those operator licence(s) will not be subject to the benefits of Earned Recognition status.
The earned recognition scheme can bring great benefits to your business including:
· Be an exemplary operator, and be able to prove this when you bid for contracts
· Be less likely to have your vehicles stopped at the roadside for inspections
· Be less likely to have DVSA enforcement staff visit your premises
· Be able to use the DVSA earned recognition marque on your website and other publicity materials and on signage at your premises & sites. (But not on your vehicles)
· Direct access to the DVSA earned recognition business team
· Be able to bid for certain contracts
· Efficiently saving through having digital systems in place
· Have access to exclusive best practice DVSA workshops, summits, and information services
· Have access to commercial modules such as HS2 & LPT2 (London Power Tunnel2)
· Be part of a unique compliant group, where you have a direct feed into DVSA
As one of the only approved Earned Recognition Scheme auditors in the north east of England, we can work with you on completing an audit and supporting you with all of your compliance documentation to enable you to become an approved operator.
Contact our team HERE for more information or a no-obligation chat.