Part of our Operator Questions series. What actually drives DVSA targeting: OCRS bands, the three-year rolling window, complaints, and how Earned Recognition reduces the attention you get.
This is one of the questions we're regularly asked by transport managers and operators - so here's the straight answer from our analysts.
The Operator Compliance Risk Score system is the primary source of information for direct risk-based enforcement of HGV operators. DVSA actively monitor operator compliance levels to assess compliance risk via measured performance data, with points scores attached to infringements with differing levels of severity and colour bands assigned to the operator determining the frequency and level of enforcement required.
The OCRS system identifies operators via colour bands, blue for Earned Recognition operators, green for low risk operators, amber for medium risk operators and red for high risk operators (combined base scores: green 10 points or below; amber 10.01 to 25 points; red above 25 points; grey where no DVSA data exists; base score equals total offence and defect points divided by total number of encounters over a 3-year rolling period, with year weightings applied: year 1 weighting 1.0, year 2 weighting 0.75, year 3 weighting 0.5. High risk operators in the red band will experience higher levels of enforcement attention compared to green band operators as they have proven lower levels of compliance across the control elements.
The OCRS system does allow for score improvement over time, scores reduce in value over a three year rolling window until they drop off the calculation period. The structure allows for score increases without further encounters registering, as clear events lapse the three year period, the clear events divisor shrinks, and the base score rises.
DVSA will also target operators following complaints from other industry professionals, HGV drivers and members of the public. Under s.26(4) of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995, where the existence of grounds for licence action is brought to the notice of a traffic commissioner, including through complaints received from any source, the commissioner is under a statutory duty to consider whether to give a direction in respect of that licence; DVSA investigations and targeted enforcement are a principal mechanism through which such grounds are established and evidenced.
Best practice to minimise targeted enforcement is through application to the DVSA Earned Recognition scheme. Operators voluntarily demonstrate compliance via submitting tachograph data monthly in exchange for reduced targeting and favourable or ‘sifted events’ if they are stopped. Encounters that are ‘sifted’ comprise a visual walkaround check that an examiner has classed as not requiring a full inspection. Sifted events are not classified as an event so are not included in the scoring system.
Operators who demonstrate levels of compliance that exceed the minimum standards set out in the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness and the parameters within the regulations reduce the risk of targeted enforcement via consistently lower OCRS scores.
Use the Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system - GOV.UK
Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995
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