Regulator profile

DVSA

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Enforcement Regulator Great Britain

What DVSA does

Regulates drivers, vehicles, and operators in UK road transport. Issues operator licences for goods vehicles (HGVs) and PSVs. Enforces roadworthiness and driver standards.

Operator LicensingVehicle Standards

Contact DVSA

Official guidance from DVSA

Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.

Being a goods vehicle operator (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

DVSA: vehicle operators (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Apply for a PSV operator licence (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Drivers' hours and tachographs rules (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Earned Recognition (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

ECMT international road haulage permits (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Get an MOT (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

View all 92 guidance documents (opens in a new tab)

Legislation that DVSA directly enforces.

Primary legislation

Transport Act 1968 Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 Road Traffic Act 1988 Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 Road Traffic Act 1991 Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 Road Traffic (Vehicle Testing) Act 1999 Road Safety Act 2006 DISEPA 2009 HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018

Secondary legislation

The Passenger and Goods Vehicles (Recording Equipment) Regulations 1979 Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981 Drivers' Hours (Goods Vehicles) (Exemptions) Regulations 1986 Drivers' Hours (Goods Vehicles) (Modifications) Order 1986 Drivers' Hours (Harmonisation with Community Rules) Regulations 1986 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) (Fees) Regulations 1995 Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Regulations 1995 The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations 1996 Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998

… and 12 more statutory instruments.

Legislation connected to DVSA’s remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.

Establishing / enabling

Driving Standards Agency and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Merger) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2014 UK Statutory Instrument Driving Standards Agency and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Merger) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2014 UK Statutory Instrument
Coverage area
Great Britain — England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland may have separate arrangements.

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