Do the DVSA have the power to enter a personal premises without a warrant or any warning and inspect trailers?
Yes,if they believe there is reason to do so.
They can do this , but is no reason to take you with anything even if the trailer/ vehicles are with major defects as long they are parked in the yard. Is no law to stop any operators to keep in they’re yard good or bad vehicles.
Julian78:
They can do this , but is no reason to take you with anything even if the trailer/ vehicles are with major defects as long they are parked in the yard. Is no law to stop any operators to keep in they’re yard good or bad vehicles.
A defective vehicle would need to be recorded and marked as such to prove that the defect was known about. There would also need to be some method which would indicate that it should not be used. Similarly a vehicle overdue for safety inspection or out of use seasonally would need some paper trail and indication.
Ultimately I think DVSA have more ‘power’ than the Police nowadays.
I was talking to a driver on Saturday who had VOSA turn up at his house on a Saturday night to inspect records. It was a few years ago when this happened. When he told the guy to do one it was clearly explained to him the powers VOSA have.
It was even more interesting to find out the VOSA guy was my Dad 
He’s not with us anymore or I’d ask him exactly what powers they have. He could have just been ■■■■■■■■■■■■ the driver - but he got the records.
Yeah, there are horror stories about them turning up at yards and taking action for a flat tyre that was a slow puncture that had only just occurred/developed that night etc.
There’s a lot to be said for electric security gates and swipe cards, on yards, as at least it puts pay to any surprise visits. Just for the aggro, not because you particularly have anything to hide.
Your yard/premises then yes but if, for example, you were delivering or working somewhere they could only be on there with the landowner’s permission. Not sure what the situation would be with a rented parking space on someone else’s larger property, who wasn’t an operator I suppose they might forego their rights to deny access by renting out for the purpose of an operating centre.