DVSA Earned Recognition: What are the Benefits?

Joining the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) earned recognition scheme as a transport manager can have various benefits for your company and your drivers. Remaining compliant is key for Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV), Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) and Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers and fleet managers to keep on top of, and joining the earned recognition scheme can prove that you are vigilant with your compliance. But what are the other benefits of joining the DVSA earned recognition scheme?

In this guide, we will explore the key benefits of joining the DVSA earned recognition scheme, as well as any terms and conditions you may need to be aware of before joining. We will also discuss any costs involved in joining the scheme, and how our DVSA approved IT system can make the whole process more efficient.

What is the DVSA Earned Recognition Scheme?

The DVSA earned recognition scheme is a voluntary scheme in which transport operators can prove they are compliant in vehicle and driver regulations. Any organisation can join the scheme, providing they have a fleet of HGVs, LGVs or PSVs, they pass the DVSA’s self-assessment checklist and audit, and they have held a transport operator licence for at least two years with no penalties from the Traffic Commissioner.

Applicants must also prove they have reliable systems in place to promote “proactive transport management,” which can be achieved by working with a DVSA approved IT supplier. You can find out more about what DVSA earned recognition means for your business in our previous guide here.

What are the Key Benefits of DVSA Earned Recognition?

Joining the DVSA earned recognition scheme is the best way to prove that you are an organisation compliant in vehicle and driver regulations. Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reports are automatically sent to the DVSA to monitor your compliance, so potential clients will know you are a company to be trusted. Other benefits include:

• You will be known as an “exemplary” operator: being a part of the DVSA earned recognition scheme is something to be proud of, and you can mention your membership when bidding for contracts, clients and customers
• You can use the logo: you can place the DVSA earned recognition logo on your website and other published materials, such as brochures, business cards and leaflets. However, the logo must not be used on any of your vehicles
• Your fleet is less likely to be stopped on the road: DVSA officers will recognised your HGVs, LGVs or PSVs as being a part of the earned recognition scheme, and will therefore be less likely to stop your drivers for roadside inspections
• DVSA enforcement staff will be less likely to visit your premises: much like roadside checks, on-site checks will also be reduced so long as your key performance indicators and other important data are being submitted to the DVSA accordingly
• You will be known as a DVSA accredited operator: you will also be discoverable on the Government’s website
• Dedicated access to the DVSA earned recognition team: for any concerns or queries you may have.

What are the Terms and Conditions of DVSA Earned Recognition?

If you meet certain eligibility criteria, you will be able to easily apply for DVSA earned recognition. However, there are various terms and conditions of the scheme that transport operators and fleet managers need to be aware of.

Your earned recognition accreditation is valid for two years; after this period, you will need to be audited again to ensure you still meet the requirements for the scheme. When applying for the scheme, operators must enter into a formal contract with their DVSA authorised audit provider, and the DVSA may remove your accreditation if you fail to report your data, are continually uncompliant, or your business ceases trading.

The operator must also agree to share all relevant data and details with the DVSA, including KPIs, driver hours, maintenance reports such as daily walkaround checks, and licence holder details. Material changes, such as a change in transport operator, and legal incidents which could affect your accreditation must all be reported to the DVSA. You can read more about the DVSA earned recognition scheme terms and conditions on the Government’s website.

In order to successfully apply, you need to prove that you can accurately and efficiently report all KPIs using a DVSA approved IT systems provider such as AssetGo. To find out more about how our app and CMS system can help you, you can get in touch with us today.

How Much Does It Cost to Join the DVSA Earned Recognition Scheme?

It is completely free to apply for the DVSA earned recognition scheme. However, there may be fees elsewhere when choosing your auditor and IT systems provider.

Auditors set their own fees, so you will need to enquire with various auditors to choose the best one for your company. However, you must inform them if you choose to apply for extra modules. These include High Speed 2 (HS2) and London Power Tunnels (LPT2) for HGVs, and The Guild of British Coach Operators for PSVs. There are TFL Contractual Requirements for both HGVs and PSVs. Your auditor may charge you extra to see if you meet the requirements for these modules.

IT system suppliers also set their own fees.

How AssetGo Can Help

As a DVSA approved IT supplier, we can help you apply for DVSA earned recognition and get you started as soon as possible. We can submit all of your KPIs on time to help you retain your DVSA earned recognition status, saving you time and money in the process. You will have dedicated access to your account via our safe and secure app and CMS system.

To find out more, or to request a free demo, please get in contact with us today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any risks associated with joining the DVSA earned recognition scheme?

The earned recognition scheme is completely voluntary and can help reduce the chance of a DVSA safety inspection occurring and prove that you are a compliant and trustworthy fleet operator. There are risks of having your accreditation removed if you fail to submit your KPI reports or if there is any evidence that you are non-compliant.

How can the DVSA earned recognition scheme benefit my business?

Having earned recognition status can reduce roadside inspections and DVSA officer visits to your premises, and can help you stand out as an exemplary operator to potential clients.

Why was the DVSA earned recognition scheme introduced?

Set up in 2018, the earned recognition scheme was introduced as a more streamlined way for businesses to prove their compliance with DVSA regulations and report all relevant data.