You have been stopped by a DVSA examiner
Stay calm and cooperate. DVSA examiners have legal powers to stop and inspect any goods vehicle on the public road. A roadside check does not necessarily mean you have done anything wrong — many stops are routine or random. Cooperating fully is the best way to keep the process quick and straightforward.
Tachographs and drivers' hours
The most common area checked at the roadside. The examiner will download your driver card and review driving time, breaks, and rest periods. Infringements such as exceeding daily driving limits or missing breaks are among the most frequent findings.
Vehicle maintenance and roadworthiness
The examiner will inspect the mechanical condition of the vehicle including brakes, tyres, steering, lights, and suspension. Any defect that poses an immediate road safety risk can lead to the vehicle being taken off the road on the spot.
Load security and weight checks
DVSA checks whether the load is properly secured and within legal weight limits. Overloading is a strict liability offence — both the driver and the operator can be prosecuted. The examiner may direct you to a nearby weighbridge.
Driver CPC and licence checks
You must carry your Driver Qualification Card (DQC) at all times when driving professionally. If you cannot produce it at the roadside, you may face a fixed penalty of up to 1,000 GBP. The examiner will also verify your driving licence category covers the vehicle you are driving.
Goods vehicle compliance checklist
After the stop, use this checklist to review your compliance across all areas the examiner assessed. If any issues were raised, address them promptly — fixing problems quickly before your next encounter demonstrates good compliance culture to DVSA.
Understanding your OCRS score
Every roadside encounter affects your Operator Compliance Risk Score. A clean stop improves your score, while prohibitions or fixed penalties worsen it. A poor OCRS makes your vehicles more likely to be stopped again and can be used as evidence at public inquiry.