DSA and VOSA merger must deliver improvements, says FTA 24 June 2013

FTA (the Freight Transport Association) has welcomed the announcement by DfT (the Department for Transport) that, from July, VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) and DSA (Driving Standards Agency) are to be merged.

The merged organisation – to be managed by Alastair Peoples, currently chief executive of VOSA – is being tasked with improving service and value for money for commercial vehicle operators.

"FTA supports any move that can deliver improved services and better value for money for its members, and we can certainly see some potential for this in the proposed merger of DSA and VOSA," says Karen Dee, FTA's director of policy.

"For example if [the move] allows transport managers to check their OCRS scores at the same time as their drivers' DCPC status, that would be a big step forward," she continues.

"However, we will be looking very carefully at the detail behind this to ensure that benefits such as this are delivered."

The Motoring Services Strategy consultation on improving the delivery of services by the four executive agencies – VOSA, DSA, DVLA (the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) and VCA (the Vehicle Certification Agency) – floated the idea of streamlining the bodies but there were few indications of how this might be achieved.

"While bringing VOSA and DSA together puts testing of drivers and vehicles in one place, licensing of both will still be dealt with by DVLA," continues Dee.

"It is questionable ,therefore, whether the proposals will deliver the improved links between testing and licensing that operators feel are necessary. FTA looks forward to working with the new – and existing – agencies to bring this about."

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Freight Transport Association Ltd

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.