Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) was created from the merger of the Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) and the Traffic Area Network (TAN) division of the Department for Transport (DfT). In 2005 it had approximately 2,500 staff, 1,700 of which are based at its operational locations across Great Britain. The aim of the agency is to contribute to the improvement of the road safety and environmental standards, and to the reduction of vehicle crime.
VOSA’s customers include:
- The Road Haulage and Public Service Vehicle (PSV) industries;
- Trade associations;
- Vehicle manufacturers;
- MOT garages; and
- The public.
VOSA works with the Traffic Commissioners to:
- improve road safety and the environment and safeguard fair competition by promoting and enforcing compliance with commercial operator licensing requirements;
- Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses;
- Registering bus services;
- Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT Testing Scheme;
- Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations;
- Enforcing drivers’ hours and licensing requirements;
- Providing training and advice for commercial operators; and
- Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls.