Bob Bluffield looks at the changes VOSA made to its Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system.

By Bob Bluffield

Running any business requires keeping a sharp eye on any regulation changes that will alter the way that you are expected to do things. Authorities seem to be forever tinkering and it can sometimes be difficult keeping abreast of amendments to regulations. This can become a potential minefield for every commercial vehicle operator who can run the risk of breaking the rules unless they are extremely vigilant.

Although we are confident that none of our readers will have overlooked changes to VOSA's Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system that took effect from 30 August, 2010, nevertheless we felt some will welcome the information we provide in this article.

What is OCRS?

OCRS is the mechanism used by VOSA to calculate the chances of an operator being non-compliant with current licensing laws and legislation. The system allows VOSA roadside inspectors to key in a vehicle registration number on their hand-held device as a lorry approaches and to read its score. If the score is low, the driver is less likely to be stopped or receive a site inspection from VOSA. Those vehicles that return a high score will run more risk of being stopped and pulled in for roadside inspections. The OCRS is calculated using two ratings - Roadworthiness, which deals with the condition of the vehicle; and Traffic Enforcement that relates to non-mechanical infringements including driver's hours, over-loading and tachograph offences. It is obviously in the industry's interests for every operator to  aim at maintaining a low score by ensuring that their vehicle/s are in tip-top condition and that no traffic regulations are being broken.  

The changes implemented last August were fairly minor and were devised following discussions with the transport industry to lessen the burden on compliant operators and reduce the numbers being stopped for roadside checks. But they also raise the stakes in favour of VOSA when targeting those that run a higher risk of being non-compliant.

How VOSA calculates your score

VOSA calculates scores in two ways - predictive and historic. The latter uses data gathered previously from the vehicle operator such as that obtained from first and annual tests that may have included prohibitive defects; roadside inspections; VOSA Prosecution and Legal Services (PLS) records that may have resulted in convictions;  Graduated Fixed Penalty notices issued to drivers for a variety of offences; and fleet check vehicle inspection data. Each encounter with a VOSA inspector is known as an 'event' and any defects or offences found during an event are given points based on their severity. When an event detects no defects or offences, no points are given. VOSA uses the points system to form the' index score' which is calculated using the average number of points given for events from the last two years. The index score is then used as a yardstick to compare operators in a league table that determines their position on the table to give them a 'relative score'. The relative score determines which band the operator will fall into - with those with the lowest relative scores being at the top of the table (in the Green band).

On the predictive method of calculating scores, operators with similar circumstances are compared to predict what their scores are likely to be. This method is used only if no historic data is available and will specifically apply to new operators. However, even with no traffic offences, prohibitions or defects against a new operating licence, the method used to calculate the predictive score means that a new operator will NOT be zero. 

The banding system

What the changes did in August was to change the band criteria. Those who were in the Amber 8 band for Road Worthiness or Traffic Enforcement are now in the Red band, and those in Amber bands 1,2 and 3 for Traffic Enforcement are in the Green band. Operators’ numerical index scores did not change - only the colour of the band associated with their scores.  The implications of this are clear and should encourage any operators with higher scores in the lower levels of the Amber band, and specifically those in the Red bands, to become more vigilant about achieving higher safety standards.