What Is DVSA Earned Recognition

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) earned recognition scheme is a way to prove you meet driver and vehicle standards. 

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Earned Recognition Scheme (ERS) is a voluntary scheme, designed to reward operators who show high levels of compliance. In return for sharing key vehicle and driver information with the DVSA, companies are likely to be subjected to fewer on-site and roadside inspections. To take part in the Earned Recognition Scheme, fleets need to make Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) available to the DVSA electronically, covering areas such as vehicle roadworthiness and driver hours legislation. 

This means that you’re: 

• continuously monitoring your own compliance 
• using DVSA-validated IT systems 
• compliant with vehicle and road safety standards 

It’s a voluntary scheme that’s designed to work for operators of all sizes. 

How it works 

You need to have a DVSA-validated IT system for vehicle maintenance and drivers’ hours. This will monitor whether you’re meeting a set of key performance indicators (KPIs). 

Every 4 weeks, your system will tell DVSA if you’ve missed any of the KPIs by a set amount. If this happens, DVSA will work with you to fix any problems. 

DVSA will not have direct access to any of your data or systems. 

What are the benefits 

As a DVSA earned recognition operator you’ll: 

• be an exemplary operator, and be able to prove this when you bid for contracts 
• be less likely to have your vehicles stopped at the roadside for inspections 
• be less likely to have DVSA enforcement staff visit your premises 

• be able to use the DVSA earned recognition logo on your website and other publicity materials (but not on your vehicles) 
• be recognised as a DVSA-accredited operator on GOV.UK 
• have direct access to a dedicated earned recognition team in DVSA 

Eligibility 

Before you apply you need to make sure that you meet the following criteria: 

• you’ve had a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or public service vehicle (PSV) operator licence for at least 2 years 
• the Traffic Commissioner hasn’t taken any regulatory action (other than a formal warning) on any of your operator licences in the last 2 years 
• you have digital management systems for vehicle maintenance and drivers’ hours, which can track the KPIs and automatically report if they’re missed 
• you meet the earned recognition audit standards 

If you have multiple operator licences 

The application can only be made for the whole business – not individual licences. You must report the data for all your operator licences. 

If your organisation contains multiple legal entities operating under one group – using the same management systems – you can make a single group application. 

The audit standards and key performance indicators would apply and be measured over the group as a whole. 

An individual legal entity cannot be removed from the group accreditation unless it changes ownership or no longer exists. 

Extra modules 

You can apply for accreditation for extra modules that show you meet the requirements to work on certain projects. These are optional and require you to meet additional audit standards or to provide extra information to DVSA. 

An application for any of the extra modules can be for the whole entity or at least one operator’s licence with all its operating centres. 

You might have to share information related to the extra module – such as KPIs – with a third party. 

You can currently apply for two extra modules on: 

• High Speed Two (HS2) for HGV operators only 
• London Power Tunnels (LPT2) for HGV operators only 

How much it costs 

There’s no application fee to join the scheme. 

Audits 

Your systems and processes must be audited by a DVSA-authorised audit provider: 

• once your application has been reviewed 
• every 2 years after you’ve joined the scheme 

You might need to pay for this, depending on the provider you choose. The providers set their own fees. 

If DVSA grants you a concession, you’ll need an audit covering the appropriate section every year, up to April 2021. 

You need to tell your audit provider if you’re applying for extra modules. 

Extra modules are audited every year. 

I.T systems 

You might need to pay to update your IT systems if they cannot measure and report on the KPIs. 

The system suppliers set their own fees. 

You’ll need fully electronic systems by April 2021 

So Does the FMS system you’re using at the moment qualify to be used in association with DVSA Earned Recognition? 

FleetCheck are certified for Earned Recognition. Their platform uniquely consolidates information received from multiple vehicle manufacturers, service providers and data suppliers. Maintenance KPI’s can be automatically sent to DVSA with prior notifications also being sent to the operator. 

Fleetcheck are a Validated IT supplier for earned recognition. You can enjoy all your vehicle Earned recognition data from digital or non digital format in one place, for a single, consolidated overview of your KPIs.  

No more Earned Recognition concerns 

By integrating all your vehicle data into FleetCheck you can be sure you have all the information you need to report on DVSA Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

Fleetchecks Earned Recognition dashboard 

FleetCheck’s Earned Recognition dashboard has been specifically designed to give a clear overview of adherence across the required DVSA KPI’s. All FleetCheck clients can benefit from the Earned Recognition section within the software and there is no additional fee. 

The easy drill-down feature quickly shows details of trigger points, allowing companies to rectify issues quickly and easily. The dashboard can be used by any operator, and trigger points are only sent to the DVSA if the operator has achieved Earned Recognition. FleetCheck can also be set up to notify the operator prior to the information being sent to DVSA, allowing you to self-audit before committing to the scheme. 

The Earned Recognition software of choice 

Included as standard 

We recognise that compliance is vital for our clients which is why you can activate the Earned Recognition Dashboard at no extra cost. 

Everything in one place 

Enjoy complete peace of mind that all your vehicle records are securely stored in a single platform, instantly accessible 24/7. 

Automated processes 

Automatically send KPIs directly to the DVSA, pre-configured in the approved format for Earned Recognition. 

Transparent performance 

View real-time status of your DVSA KPIs including your safety inspection adherence, defect rectification and MOT initial pass rate. 

Simplify inspections 

Drivers can easily complete their daily vehicle checks via FleetCheck Driver, our inclusive app, removing the need for unreliable paper processes. 

Alerts and reminders 

Our unique ’traffic light’ reminders will ensure that all relevant personnel are up to date with events such as MOTs, licence checks and safety inspection reminders.