A DVSA roadside inspection is a formal check of a commercial vehicle and its driver in the UK , carried out to assess roadworthiness, driver compliance and operator standards.
A vehicle may be stopped and inspected by:
- A DVSA Vehicle Examiner
- A DVSA Traffic Examiner
Roadside inspections can take place at a variety of locations, including at the roadside, in lay-bys, at service areas, or at dedicated DVSA testing and inspection sites.
During the inspection, the examiner may check some or all of the following:
- Vehicle roadworthiness
This includes brakes, tyres, lights, steering, suspension, mirrors, reflectors and the general mechanical condition of the vehicle. - Vehicle weight and load security
The vehicle may be weighed to confirm it is not overloaded, and the load may be inspected to ensure it is properly secured. - Driver documentation
The driver’s licence, Driver CPC status and entitlement to drive the vehicle may be checked. - Tachograph and drivers’ hours compliance
Digital or analogue tachograph records may be examined to identify drivers’ hours infringements, missing records or other non-compliance, like missing driver logbook for Domestic Regulations. - Emissions and environmental compliance
The vehicle may be checked to ensure it meets applicable emissions standards and if AdBlue evasive devices are fitted.
Possible outcomes of a roadside inspection
If no defects or issues are found, the inspection may result in a technical roadside inspection report (PG35EC document) confirming a clean check or noting minor advisory items.
Where issues are identified, DVSA may take enforcement action, including:
- Issuing an offence rectification notice (ORN) for minor defects that do not pose an immediate risk
- Issuing a PG3 inspection direction requiring the vehicle to attend a further inspection
- Issuing a prohibition notice (PG9) if the vehicle is deemed unroadworthy
- PG9(D): Prohibition Notice (Delayed) – issued to UK vehicles for roadworthiness offences. Operator needs to rectify the defect and get the vehicle inspected to lift the prohibition (This is done through Vehicle Examiner inspection or full MOT
- PG9(I): Prohibition Notice (Immediate) – issued to UK vehicles for roadworthiness offences.
- TE160: Prohibition Notice – issued to UK vehicles for offences other than drivers hours/records or roadworthiness
- TE160(DH): Prohibition Notice – issued to UK vehicles for drivers’ hours / records offences
Prohibition notices may take effect immediately, preventing the vehicle from being driven until repaired, or may be delayed for a short period depending on the severity of the defect. It is important to know that the prohibitions need to be lifted by receiving a PG10 document or taking the vehicle through MOT. There are 2 DVSA published documents that describe their approach to different types of vehicle defects or driving offences; those are DVSA Categorisation of Defects and DVSA Enforcement Sanctions Policy.
Impact on OCRS and future enforcement
Roadside inspections feed directly into the DVSA’s Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system. Any defects or offences identified during an inspection are recorded as a negative encounter and attract OCRS points based on severity. These points contribute to the operator’s risk rating for three years, although their impact reduces over time.
Where no defects are found, the inspection is recorded as a positive encounter. While no points are awarded, the event is still logged and contributes to the operator’s compliance history.
An increased OCRS score can lead to a higher likelihood of future roadside stops, further DVSA investigations, or compliance visits to the operator’s premises.