So says Matthew Hague (pictured), executive director of product strategy at telematics business Microlise, whose comments came after more details of the scheme were released at the RHA Compliance Conference.
At that event, the new chief executive of the DVSA, Gareth Llewellyn, said operators would need technology to take full advantage of the scheme, but they can share tacho and maintenance data with the DVSA and this would mean they will not be engaged at the roadside.
“Earned recognition will be a power for good; I have no doubt about that,” said Hague.
“Upsides will surely be reduced compliance costs and disruption for the best transport service providers, while more intervention and targeted enforcement will bring the worst service providers into line. The result will be significantly less time and money wasted by those who are complying.”
Hague added that the DVSA has a “fine line to walk”, in terms of ensuring targets are neither too difficult nor too lenient.
“We wait to see the full details, but in the meantime I would say that the new progressive approach is excellent and we look forward to helping our customers to prepare, engage and achieve earned recognition status when it comes into force in 2017.”
Llewellyn told the RHA delegates that telematics is a valuable technology, not just for compliance but also for delivering wider benefits.
He also said the DVSA has agreed key performance indicators for the earned recognition scheme and that details would be announced before the end of this year, following board agreement.