so,on wednesday,im driving up the m6/m74 todhills,and yet again(i pass it almost daily) the vosa checkpoint is open at carlisle.however,there was no police or vosa car on the sliproad at junction 44 as normal,and the "hgv"s keep to left lane “signs were open.i then noticed”(and i"ve never seen them before) signs stating “all goods vehicles must enter checkpoint” with an arrowing indicating to turn off.so,as i have nothing to hide i drove into the checkpoint to be told off a very polite chap that i wasnt being checked today and sent on my way.whilst i was waiting in the queue though,i did notice quite a number of trucks just driving past.is this legal?,and is it a legal requirement to pull into a vosa checkpoint given the circumstances detailed above.i thought a police officer or vosa vehicle must action you to pull in.
please clarify,because as mentioned above,i pass the checkpoint nearly daily,and its going to become a pain in my backside having to pull in everytime.
thanks in anticipation.
If a copper aint there I aint stopping
I’m not sure of the legalities, but as you say this sign is displayed quite regulary and I see wagons drive past without stopping. It doesn’t look like anyone chases after them, they must have enough to occupy themselves with the law abiding drivers with nothing to hide that do stop!
Normally those signs are used in conjunction with no overtaking signs so plod can sit at the entrance and take his pick.
I would not enter a checkpoint without direction from a proper copper. I don’t even think a civilian VOSA man could stop you without a Ford Galaxy.
I’ve driven past that one and the ones on the way in and out of Holyhead many times and never had a problem, and that includes when a VOSA or police vehicle is sitting on the bridge over the A55. Black lettering on a yellow background sign is just information, if they want trucks to enter they either need an officer directing you in or the no trucks sign, white circle with red border and a truck on it, posted on the main carriageway. If they had that sign up and you continued along the road past the sign you would commit an offence.
I did enter the Todhills one week before last as I was getting a little bored so could use the diversion to perk me up again. When I got in the queue for the weighbridge one of the VOSA guys came along and said I could pull round and leave, he didn’t want to check me.
If the signs aren’t on to say its open im driving by wether or not other signs say YOU MUST GO IN, ive also nothing to hide but when your running for boats for the shunters to take across, the A75 to contend with then 30/45 mins in there getting a clean bill of health isn’t exactly high on the agenda.
can anyone from vosa on here confirm please?
PMSL 
Todhills M6/M74 seen very same signs , Beware If you have a long load or wideload If theres a Que and the little vosa guy say carry on you cant get out via the petrol station if trucks are parked in it . Then if your very unlucky a do get taken in, you are then of your route as it takes you on to a back road which is not on your movement order, and as you will already no if you hit or are hit by anything , you in the ■■■■ big time , and if unsure keep it lit for the border. 
trophyblue:
PMSL
You’re only off route for about 100m, you turn right out of the VOSA site and then turn right again round the back of the petrol station and you’re back on the motorway. 