DVSA says that the requirement to go fully digital in April 2022 was set at the pilot stage of the scheme, and “while the ambitions for fully integrated digital reporting remain, the deadline has been removed.
The Earned Recognition scheme will now allow operators to choose validated reporting methods best suited to their operation.
This means operators will be able to use a mixture of manual maintenance and vehicle systems alongside digital reporting, as well as the use of more than one electronic system to collect data.
Operators on the scheme will still need digital reporting systems for drivers’ hours and tachograph data, as they have previously. The performance standards they must meet for the scheme also remain the same.
DVSA added: “The Earned Recognition team is satisfied with the range of methods in place for maintenance reporting. The scheme management believe operators on the scheme and those with pending applications can prove they are maintaining the highest standards of road safety compliance with these changes.”
“By listening to the industry and offering a wider range of maintenance reporting options, DVSA is making the voluntary and free to join Earned Recognition scheme more accessible to operators of all sizes.”
Laura Great-Rex, DVSA head of enforcement relationship management, said: “We recognise that obstacles were preventing operators from joining the scheme, and have addressed them, making Earned Recognition more accessible. Our priority is ensuring safety and compliance on Britain’s roads. The more members of the Earned Recognition scheme we have, the more industry leaders we have demonstrating their exemplar safety standards on our roads. This transparency allows for our enforcement activity to be focused on the serially non-compliant operators, helping us better protect people from unsafe drivers and vehicles.”
In Earned Recognition, operators regularly share performance information with DVSA, allowing them to prove they meet the highest driver and vehicle standards. Every four weeks, the operator’s KPI and maintenance reporting system will inform DVSA if it has missed any of the KPIs by a set amount.
In instances where an operator doesn’t meet any of their KPIs or there is a downward trend that requires addressing, the DVSA Earned Recognition team will work with an operator, offering support, guidance and issue an improvement plan if necessary.
DVSA said that monitoring systems for the KPIs allows an operator to detect where a failure is taking place within their business. If the requirements for ER cannot be maintained, such as failing to continually meet the KPIs, then membership to the scheme may be revoked.
It says that membership benefits include:
•being an exemplary operator, and be able to prove this when you bid for contracts
•being less likely to have vehicles stopped at the roadside for inspections
•being less likely to have DVSA enforcement staff visit premises
•being able to use the DVSA Earned Recognition logo on the business website and other publicity materials. The logo can be displayed at your operating centre or premises, but not on vehicles
•being recognised as a DVSA-accredited operator on GOV.UK, including social media at joining
•Fully digital systems have proven to save operators time and money
•access to the DVSA apprenticeship scheme.
•access to commercial modules such as HS2 & LPTS