The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) provides a range of services that aim to improve the standards of vehicles, operators and drivers yet on the front page they have a disclaimer that says ‘…we cannot accept any liability for the accuracy of content. Visitors who rely on this information do so at their own risk’ a comfort to all who use the site I am sure! So, taking on board the fact that it’s a site you can’t rely on, what exactly is the point of the VOSA website?
Well, putting this disclaimer into perspective they are protecting themselves. If a hacker changes the information and an operator or driver acts upon it there is a world of hurt coming both ways. This was of no comfort to me as a driver and even less of a comfort as an Operator. They do try to make sure that you don’t get a virus when downloading information.
On the VOSA website you can gain access to anything related to PSV operations, and this in itself has yet to be used/exploited by most drivers. Knowing your job inside and out is your responsibility but how many employers want you to know what a PG9 is? Or know the exact rules on driving hours? Only a good company! If you change professions everything relating to HGV’s is also on the VOSA site, but we are here about us.
I have tried to find my way around the site and to make it as easy as possible for you, the reader, to navigate your way around the site. We are not allowed to use the content (Crown Copyright) nor are we allowed to use the logo (that’s approving our site) so it’s been very difficult to put this all together. However, I feel, after hours of searching and reading, that this is the best way to look at the information provided by one of our ‘Governing bodies’. Don’t worry too much about the Traffic Commissioner, you only need to worry about him/her when you do something wrong, or when someone else does something wrong! No website on earth will help you there. Legal advice is the best course of action.
So what is VOSA?
Remember the VI? Shows your age if you do, and I do. The Vehicle Inspectorate was formed in 1964. And does anyone remember the Traffic Area Network (TAN) formed in 1981? Well, these two were merged in 2003 to form VOSA. VOSA work closely with its ‘customers’ to provide the definitive service to Road Operations and Passenger Transport, it’s customers include the public, MOT centres, Car manufacturers, the PSV/HGV work force and a few of the trade people. Their main telephone number (unless you ‘know’ someone within the confines of the VOSA network) is 0870 6060440 but be prepared for a long wait. I only speak as I find. However, if you have intelligence to share with VOSA, that line is answered within 3 rings.
What do VOSA do?
How long do you have? From MOT’s to Operators Licences, registration of local bus services to accident and investigation, and training, VOSA do it all. Currently looking to centralise some of its daily work to Leeds, some have said to me that they could be stretching themselves too far and wide, but with over 2,500 staff, let’s hope the doubters are wrong.
For a full breakdown of the exact ‘what we do at VOSA’ speech, click here!
How to use their site
It’s like most sites but some of the documents open as Adobe files. Make sure you have an up to date version of Adobe, which is free, otherwise it will take a month of Sunday’s to open! Found this out the hard way, laugh if you like! http://www.adobe.com/ for the latest downloads to make it easier to access.
On the left hand side of the site are links to various PSV/HGV pages, but here I have listed the most important ones that target our needs, cutting out the worry of searching page after page for the right starting point. As much as I would love to write everything we need to know on a daily basis I can’t, it’s that pesky Crown Copyright again.
First up…
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/vehicledrivers/vehicledrivers.htm takes you to the Transport Office site. A brilliant site to have in your favourites. That section contains all of the information which would affect Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Drivers. When you click on the first link (highlighted green) it takes you to ‘Driver Responsibilities’ there are four headings on that page, click on all of them and take from each what you need.
This link provides information on the license itself. Click here.
Roadworthiness - Daily walk around check on this one, and if you don’t know what that is, contact me, Amanda@psvdrivers.com with your name, the company you work for and who gave you the license in the first place. Ta.
From my own personal point of view, I would click the fourth as a matter of priority simply because it covers EU and Domestic Hours. A must for all drivers who drive public service vehicles in the UK. Driving hours are there to protect you and the public, not to curb your overtime or stop you from earning money. They are there to stop bad employers from exploiting your license. Know them. Inside and out. The fourth link explains the responsibilities but this link booklet Click here the ‘booklet’ that no driver should be without. PSV 375 Department of Transport handbook on Driving Hours. It’s pink, pretty, and can be applied for, in writing, for free. Check out www.tso.co.uk Before I move on there’s one small piece I plan to use completely. Yes, it’s probably a copyright breach but until VOSA say otherwise (and that isn't a challenge VOSA, by any means) I think it’s the most sensible piece from their site that I could use and I also think the wisest to copy word for word so as not to mislead anyone, so read it very carefully I could get into trouble for this….There is a maximum fine of £2,500 for a breach of the drivers' hours rules and a maximum fine of £5,000 for failing to install or use a tachograph. Deliberate falsification of a tachograph chart can result in 2 years imprisonment and/or £5,000 fine. Convictions may be taken into account by Licensing Authorities in deciding whether to grant or renew an operator's licence or PCV driver's licence. VOSA will convict, and they do, regularly, so do not be caught out. If in doubt, check it out.
Another good page to look at is Bus and Coach legislation
On this page you’ll find a lot of free information that should be on your hard drive, or better still, in a ring binder in your bag. Examples include Codes of Practice and the latest newsletters relating to the job. These links can and do change so this one is a case of finding what’s relevant to you and reading. More Adobe files but easy enough to print off or save onto your PC. (A lot of the links relate to Operators licensing, which I will cover on the CPC page so don’t worry too much about those unless you plan to take the CPC in National Passenger Transport Operations. Its bloody hard work; let me tell you that for free!) Make a point of reading the Complaints Procedure (GV 74R) simply for your own reference and Working Time – The Facts. The working time directive is not as confusing as people think, as long as you make sure you know exactly what you have done in your working week. If you don’t have a diary, get one. Not only is it easier to keep track of duties and start times, you can also keep careful note of the ‘Driving Time’ and ‘Rest Times’ on the duty cards themselves. Also handy for the Guv’nors birthday. There are FAQ’s, regulations within the Transport Act for reference and if anyone thought that Bus/Coach/Limo or Cab driving was easy, it is. It’s the regulations that give you a headache!
Disciplinary powers
gives you an overview of the powers that VOSA have and includes information on (God Forbid) court proceedings. Don’t fall foul, make sure you know as much as possible. Don’t be a know-it-all but by all means say, “oh, I thought it meant…” and wait for their interpretation. Again, if in doubt, check it out. VOSA are there to help.
Has anyone seen those Land Rovers on the motorways? Well, they are the men and women who can, and will stop you for a spot check. Read these regulations carefully. Spot Check.
My advice on this is three words, comply, comply, comply. If you are issued with a ‘Roadside Prohibition Notice’ there are two types, immediate, which doesn’t take a genius to translate and delayed, and these depend on the severity of the defect. Simple way to avoid them is the Walk Around Check. If you are issued with a PG9, not only does it go against you (if it’s something you should have seen) it goes against the Operator. PG9’s once earned are like calories. Very hard to get rid of. Also read Power to Stop!
The Power to Stop page. Again, remember those three simple words, comply, comply, comply but make sure it is safe to do so. Don’t compromise passenger or other road user’s safety when you see blue lights, they wouldn’t expect you to either. Acknowledge them and continue until it is safe to stop, unless you have bits falling off, then I would advice stop, stop, stop. Oh, and brownie points are scored if you have a High Visibility jacket, or Hi Vi in your cab. Most companies issue them because of new Health and Safety rulings. If you do not have one, get one. They retail at about £8.99 and it could be the best £8.99 you have ever spent. In time we will have psvdrivers.com jackets for sale, and with any luck, a lot cheaper than the usual outlets!
For those of you among us who get to trip over to the continent…I am jealous but that’s my issue, make sure you read Operating Abroad and bone up on new Tachograph regulations and your EU driving times. If you know your stuff and stay within the law you can’t go wrong.
If you have an issue with your company, do not use email, contact the Intelligence Team via telephone. For the cost of a national rate call it may save your licence, but more importantly, may prevent a disastrous accident. There are NINE areas in the UK and one senior Intelligence Officer, based in Bristol. These can be accessed on Vosa Intelligence I would like to put the information here but this is another section that is ever changing, and wasting time is not what I want to do so look for yourself. Also read Sharing Intelligence.
My Experience
I have been ‘VOSA-ED’ twice in my career. Once by the VI and once by VOSA. Each time the inspector was polite, showed me the relevant ID and got me on a break on the stand. They appear from nowhere like little yellow stealth bombers! Now we could argue that ‘I’m on my break’ and quite rightly, we are on a break, but give them a break. Like you, they are only doing their jobs and if you have done yours, let them crawl all over your vehicle in the pissing rain and get dirty while you’re eating your sandwich. The most they will ask you to do is to assist in checking the rear brakes and lights. There is nothing sweeter than a ‘Have a nice day!’ and a clean bill of health. If there are problems, try to discuss them rather than losing your temper, which I have seen and is easy to do if you’ve had a bad day. If you’re new to the job strike up a conversation with them, offer them a cuppa from your flask and learn from them. They are the ‘Head Teacher’ to be respected and revered. They are not God and should not be feared. On the whole the VOSA people I have met have a similar warped sense of humour and like to have a chat to break up the day, so show them how professional you are and how nice you are. Customer service skills extend to the Governors and you wouldn’t dream of being rude to the MD so don’t do it to VOSA. It is also something that may get mentioned to your Garage Manager, “here, that John Brown was really nice to me, even offered me a cuppa.” The downside is you’ll have cold inspectors seeking you out for a warm chat in the winter and being called teachers pet!
If, for some strange reason, you want to earn less money climbing over buses and lorries at 5am in the pouring rain then knocking everyone off around you then visit VOSA Vacancies. A CPC goes a long way, but experience with VOSA does count for something, and if you do apply, let me know. You can never have too many ‘Head Masters’ as mates!!
That’s about it. If you think there’s something else that needs to be added, let me know. I can’t make changes without input from you. Do you have experiences with VOSA that you would like to share? If you do, drop me a line Amanda@psvdrivers.com And if you work for VOSA, let us know what would make your day easier and some of the good and bad experiences you have had with bus/coach drivers. Oh, and if any of you can shed some light on this Limo regulation lark…I am listening!
Almost everything you need to know is covered by the VOSA document PSV437 - a mantra, a bible for all passenger service operators, or those about to embark on their first op's position. A must have for all involved in psv/pcv operations. It is also available from VOSA as a booklet if you can't print it off. I would also recommend this book to anyone about to take their CPC. Download the document here
Amanda Smith
PSVDrivers.COM
