DVSA reveals names of hauliers taking part in earned recognition pilot

DVSA has published the names of the first operators taking part in its flagship earned recognition pilot, revealing a mix of large operators, own account and smaller haulage firms

While the likes of supermarket chain Sainsbury's, leasing and rental firm Fraikin, construction materials firm Cemex, wholesaler 3663 Transport, BT Fleet, Wincanton, DPD and retailer John Lewis are all part of the long-gestating pilot, it is not just the big firms.

A number of medium sized haulage operations feature including Bradford-based Freightlink Europe, which is licensed for up to 28 vehicles; Telford-based Simmonds Transport with an O-licence for up to 100 vehicles; waste management company F&R Cawley (more than 120 vehicles); Boston's Staples Bros, which is licensed for up to 80 vehicles; and Doncaster's JP Walton & Son, which can run up to 30 vehicles.

Coach and bus operators are taking part too, and collectively the pilot is running with the equivalent of 100 O-licences and 6,000 vehicles on board.

They will all regularly share performance information with DVSA at part of the earned recognition scheme. In return, their vehicles are less likely to be stopped for inspections. 

DVSA chief executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles. 

“This pilot is allowing the best operators to go about their business unhindered, so we can target our activity at those most likely to be a danger to all road users. 

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped us develop the pilot to the point where operators are starting to see the benefits.”

First announced in 2015, earned recognition has struggled to gain traction among operators wary of sharing their data with DVSA.

In September last year with several target dates already missed, DVSA called once again for operators to take part in its remodelled pilot conceding it was still struggling to sign enough operators up.

Soon after the FTA and RHA called for the requirements of earned recognition to strike a balance between challenging those in the pilot and being realistic.

CM understands changes to the scheme and its interaction with OCRS have now been made. An announcement on the scheme moving beyond trial phase is expected at this year's CV Show, which takes place at the NEC from 24 to 26 April.

DVSA is still accepting applications to join the pilot and those that apply by 28 February are promised extra support to get up and running.

• DVSA earned recognition trial: what operators need to know
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