Jaama has updated Key2 Vehicle Management functionality to help commercial vehicle operators avoid major legal pitfalls that could jeopardise their operator’s licence and enable managers to keep track of Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) training.

Legal experts say that one of the main issues encountered when representing transport operators at public inquiries before the Traffic Commissioner is a failure to keep on top of vehicle maintenance.

It is therefore vital that transport operators have at their fingertips a comprehensive log of every MoT failure, every Prohibition Notice or conviction and any other defects spotted on vehicles by officers from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

Crucial to keeping on the right side of the law and to avoid incurring the wrath of VOSA is for transport managers to know their Operator Licence Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) and their Pass After Rectification at Station (PRS) score.

A failure to properly maintain vehicles is a breach of Operator Licence compliance and can lead to curtailment, suspension or in the most serious cases licence revocation. In the case of convictions it could also lead to operators losing their reputation.

Meanwhile, VOSA use a company’s OCRS to assess whether to stop vehicle at the roadside for inspection. In simple terms the higher an organisation’s OCRS the more likely their vehicles are likely to be topped by VOSA officers.

OCRS points are determined by reference to MoT pass rates as well as Prohibition Notices, while PRS points are determined by smaller vehicle maintenance faults that have been recorded during an MoT with remedial work undertaken prior to the vehicle passing.

Jaama managing director Jason Francis said: “Transport Operators can keep track of their OCRS points tally by way of subscribing to a free weekly update service from VOSA.

“The key to ensuring a low OCRS and PRS points tally is to keep on top of vehicle maintenance. Additionally, a good maintenance record will help to ensure that the likelihood of being stopped by VOSA officers and subsequently appearing in front of the Traffic Commissioner or even in court is minimised.

“New functionality within Key2 now makes it possible for transport managers to keep track of their OCRS and PRS records.”

Meanwhile, Driver CPC is for light goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle drivers who drive professionally throughout the UK. After obtaining their initial qualification, drivers must complete periodic training amounting to 35 hours of tuition every five years.

Francis said: “As a result of requests from customers we have updated Key2 functionality so employers can easily track every aspect of Driver CPC in relation to qualification dates and training progress to ensure total compliance.”

He concluded: “Legislative compliance is essential to ensure operating efficiency. We have therefore introduced the new functionality to give transport managers maximum visibility in relation to both vehicle maintenance and driver CPC training records to pre-empt any VOSA investigation.”
 

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