By RAM Tracking on 12 Sep 2024

In the UK, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) plays a crucial role in ensuring road safety, particularly for commercial vehicles like lorries, buses, and coaches. One of the key tools used by the DVSA is the Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS). This system helps the DVSA identify vehicles and operators that may pose a higher risk on the road, focusing its resources on those most likely to violate safety regulations. For vehicle operators, understanding how the OCRS works, how it's scored, and how it influences the likelihood of roadside checks and DVSA visits is vital for compliance and business operations.

What is the OCRS?

The OCRS is a scoring system used by the DVSA to assess the risk level of a commercial vehicle operator. It is designed to ensure that vehicles on the road meet all legal and safety standards, targeting higher-risk operators for more frequent inspections. It covers both roadworthiness and traffic violations, helping the DVSA prioritise which vehicles should be stopped for roadside checks or receive closer scrutiny through operator visits.

The primary goal of the OCRS is to keep the roads safe by focusing resources where they are needed the most. Operators with a high-risk score are more likely to be flagged for roadside checks and inspections, while those with a low-risk score are considered compliant and less likely to be stopped.

How is the OCRS Scored?

The OCRS score is based on data collected from previous DVSA inspections, roadside checks, and any compliance history an operator has. The system gives operators a risk rating in two areas: roadworthiness (vehicle maintenance and safety) and traffic (driver compliance, such as adherence to working hours or load regulations). Operators also receive an overall score that combines both categories.

The OCRS is scored on a points-based system, and points are allocated based on the severity of the issues identified during inspections or roadside checks. There are two key ways in which points are accumulated:

1. Prohibitions and Convictions: If a vehicle is found to have a serious defect or if the driver is violating safety or traffic regulations, the operator will receive points. Convictions for offences such as overloading, dangerous driving, or breaches of driver hours will also negatively impact the OCRS.

2. Encounters: Any interaction between the operator's vehicles and the DVSA will contribute to the OCRS. This includes both routine roadside checks and visits to depots for inspections. Positive outcomes, where no issues are found, can improve the score over time, while negative outcomes, like prohibitions, add points.

The OCRS system is divided into three distinct bands:

• Green: Operators in the green band have low-risk scores. This indicates that their vehicles have consistently passed inspections and complied with the law. Green-band operators are much less likely to be stopped for roadside checks or receive surprise DVSA visits.
• Amber: This middle band represents operators with a moderate risk score. They may have some compliance issues in their history but are not considered high-risk. Operators in this band are more likely to be stopped for a roadside check, though not as frequently as those in the red band.
• Red: Operators with a high-risk score fall into the red band. This could be due to several incidents of non-compliance or repeated prohibitions. Red-band operators are seen as posing the greatest risk to road safety and are much more likely to be targeted for roadside checks or inspections.

The OCRS is calculated over a rolling three-year period, meaning that older incidents will eventually fall off and stop affecting the score. This allows operators to improve their score by maintaining good compliance over time.

Points Scoring Breakdown

Points are allocated based on the severity of infractions. For example:

• Minor Defects: These may lead to a low number of points, especially if rectified promptly.
• Serious Defects: More serious safety breaches or significant traffic violations will result in higher points.
• Prohibitions: A prohibition due to a dangerous vehicle defect or breach of roadworthiness regulations will lead to significant points being added to the OCRS.

The DVSA also assigns a higher weight to recent events. A serious prohibition in the last 12 months will have a greater impact than one that happened two years ago, ensuring that the OCRS reflects the operator's current level of compliance.

How Often Can the DVSA Visit?

The frequency of DVSA visits depends largely on the operator's OCRS score. High-risk operators in the red band are more likely to receive regular inspections. These can be either unannounced or scheduled visits, during which the DVSA will assess vehicle condition, maintenance records, and driver compliance. Visits could occur several times a year for operators with a poor compliance history.

Operators in the amber band may experience less frequent visits, while those in the green band may only see a DVSA inspector once every few years, if at all. The DVSA tends to prioritize its resources based on risk, meaning that low-risk operators will have fewer inspections and encounters.

The agency also has the power to conduct targeted checks based on intelligence. This might include tip-offs from the public, other enforcement agencies, or roadside check findings. In some cases, the DVSA might conduct a visit based on a specific incident, such as a crash involving one of the operator’s vehicles.

Likelihood of Being Stopped for a Roadside Check

The likelihood of being stopped for a roadside check depends heavily on the operator's OCRS band. Operators in the red band are at the highest risk, as their poor compliance history flags them as a potential danger to road safety. These operators can expect frequent roadside checks, as the DVSA uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to identify vehicles with high-risk OCRS scores.

Amber-band operators are also at a higher risk than green-band operators, but the frequency of checks will be lower than for those in the red band. For green-band operators, roadside checks are infrequent. The DVSA is more likely to prioritize stopping vehicles flagged as higher risk, so green operators often avoid the delays and disruptions associated with roadside inspections.

It is also worth noting that the DVSA can conduct random roadside checks on any vehicle, regardless of its OCRS score. While this is less common, it ensures that all operators remain vigilant and maintain compliance, knowing that there is always a chance of being stopped, even with a good compliance history.

How to Maintain a Good OCRS Score

Maintaining a low-risk OCRS score is essential for minimizing DVSA interventions and avoiding roadside delays. Here are some key steps operators can take:

1. Regular Maintenance: Keeping vehicles in top condition through regular maintenance checks is crucial. Ensuring that vehicles meet safety standards will reduce the likelihood of prohibitions during inspections.

2. Driver Training: Ensuring drivers are well-trained on compliance issues, such as working hours, load limits, and vehicle checks, helps prevent traffic violations.

3. Record Keeping: Properly documenting maintenance work and driver hours ensures that operators can demonstrate compliance if inspected.

4. Timely Rectifications: Address any minor defects as soon as they are identified to avoid more serious issues later.

By adhering to these best practices, operators can improve their OCRS score and reduce the likelihood of being targeted for inspections or roadside checks.

Conclusion

The OCRS is a critical tool used by the DVSA to promote road safety and ensure commercial vehicles meet legal standards. Understanding how it is scored, how often the DVSA can visit, and the likelihood of being stopped for a roadside check can help operators stay compliant and minimise disruptions to their operations.

Our fleet management software includes the popular daily vehicle check among other useful reports that gives you the records for inspections should the DVSA decide to pay a visit.