shuttlespanker:
Own Account Driver:
I would favour the introduction of a system where small operators, particularly, owner drivers could take their vehicles for MOT quarterly or every 8 weeks depending on mileage. Tachograph records could also be checked at the same visit. OCRS could be abandoned for operators on this scheme.This would stop them having to be pulled at roadside checkpoints. where an owner driver can far less afford to sit around for a couple of hours. It would also provide an additional stream of work to keep all the ATFs that keep opening viable.
The vast majority of operators do want to be compliant and have no wish to operate unsafe vehicles to save a few extra quid but do live in fear of falling victim to some sanction by VOSA unwittingly. Also many of the regimes demanded by VOSA really don’t suit an owner driver like daily checks where as the sole driver they virtually become a pointless check-box exercise.
It would also be better for own account operators like horse boxes and race teams where vehicles are used so sporadically that the existing regimes really don’t work well.
This would also be better for VOSA from a PR point of view as they would have more of an ongoing and constructive relationship with operators rather than the occasional roadside pulls that can often end up be a tense and bad-tempered affair for both sides.
sorry, but, this post has got to be rated high up in the top ten of the total ■■■■■■■■ post of the year
why would anyone want to get a vehicle MoT’d every 6 or 8 weeks?
as was mentioned earlier in the thread, the 6 weekly inspections are far more involved than an MoT
OCRS is a fair system, and works for all operators, how would it be fair for small hauliers and O/D’s to be exempt from it?
and, can you imagine the headache involved for VOSA to manage that system
as for it benefitting the smaller operator by not getting pulled by VOSA, there we go again, another load of ■■■■■■■■, VOSA will pull anyone whoever they feel like, just because a company is on green OCRS, that does not mean hey will not get pulled, it just means they are less likely
as for it being “often end up be a tense and bad-tempered affair for both sides”, i can honestly say, out of all the times that i, personally, have had encounters with VOSA, whether it be at a roadside inspection or a pre booked MoT, it has never been tense or bad tempered, often, it is down to the attitude of the driver that antagonises the situation
you also go on to say, that small hauliers can ill afford to sit around for a couple of hours at a roadside check, there again, i have only ever been held up for about 15 minutes per time, and the longest ever was little over 30 minutes
just how long do you think it would take for a vehicle to go for MoT every time?
you WILL lose the vehicle for at least half a day every time, thus, costing the small haulier more money
needs a little more thought before posting me thinks
You haven’t followed it. I am suggesting that by effectively presenting your vehicle to VOSA voluntarily ideally quarterly (more often for heavy work/high mileage) and tachograph records being offered simultaneously for inspection you would in return from VOSA not be pulled in for roadside checks and be free to operate whatever maintenance regime you saw fit and have no reason to fear an impromptu VOSA visit to your yard disrupting your business. (Other than weight checks and there would have to be an undertaking by VOSA to process these in maximum time from being pulled).
Many owner drivers are at a halfway house for maintenance where they can do a lot of bits themselves but don’t have a pit/ramps or roller brake tester and there’s now hundreds of ATF lanes with exactly the right equipment. With what I’m suggesting they would not have to take it to a third party workshop every six weeks only if they wanted to because they want some work doing, so therefore are more than compensated time wise for the 3+ extra MOTs annually.
Yes, six weekly inspections are typically more involved than MOT but these are not safety critical items but things like oil and water levels and no owner driver is going to run their lorry around letting these run dangerously low.
I know the typical RHA inpsection sheet features a huge list of checks but VOSAs guidance to operators on inspections is almost purely safety focused and basically an MOT - obviously the bird presenting it needs a good under chassis inspection. 
VOSA are notorious for mixed messages and inconsistent enforcement but in that film they even suggest numerous ways small operators can complete safety inspections without the need to purchase expensive workshop equipment.