The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has been launched to replace the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), transport minister Robert Goodwill has announced. The agency, which employs 4600 people throughout the UK, will take responsibility for setting, testing and enforcing driver and vehicle standards in the UK.
“In June, the department announced DSA and VOSA would merge to form a new agency,” Goodwill said. “The two organisations have a history of working closely together and the merger is an opportunity for the DVSA to provide better and more efficient customer service to commercial operators.”
The government said there will be a gradual introduction of the new agency name ahead of the formal launch in April 2014, with no change to the services provided during the transition period.
Ministers announced the merger of the DSA and VOSA in June 2013 following a three-month consultation (Trucking, August 2013). The chief executive of both agencies is Alastair Peoples, who will become the chief executive of the single agency.
The DVSA will process applications for licences to operate trucks, operate testing schemes for all vehicles, and enforce the law on vehicles to ensure they comply with legal standards and regulations.
The agency will also enforce driver’s hours and licensing regs, investigate vehicle accidents, defects and recalls, and run tests for HGV driving instructors.
