As a DVSA Earned Recognition Approved Auditor, Verrdi would cover the following key areas during an audit, in line with the DVSA's detailed standards:

I. Operator Licensing & Management:

• Legal Entity: Verification that the operator holds a valid licence under the correct legal entity, and that all licences are included.
• Licence Compliance: Processes to ensure all operator licences are current, correctly held, and any changes (e.g., directors, addresses) have been notified to the Traffic Commissioner.
• Correspondence: Ensuring the operator's correspondence address is directly connected to the business operation.

II. Transport Manager (or Responsible Person):

• Competence & Qualification: Verification of the Transport Manager's Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and any required refresher training.
• Role & Responsibilities: Evidence that the Transport Manager is actively fulfilling their duties and has effective management control over the transport operations.
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Checking records of ongoing training and development.

III. Vehicle Standards & Maintenance:

• Maintenance System: Assessment of the operator's vehicle maintenance system (digital or manual, but preferably DVSA-validated IT system for reporting KPIs).
• Safety Inspections: Verification of complete and correctly filled safety inspection records, adherence to stated frequencies, and appropriate actioning of reported defects.
• Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM): Ensuring a robust PPM schedule is in place and adhered to.
• Driver Defect Reporting: Checking processes for drivers to report defects and that road safety related items are appropriately actioned.
• MOT Performance: Review of vehicle and trailer MOT initial pass rates.
• Vehicle Records: Comprehensive and accurate records of vehicle inspections, repairs, and maintenance schedules.

IV. Drivers' Hours & Working Time:

• Drivers' Hours Management System: Assessment of the system used to monitor and manage drivers' hours (must be a DVSA-validated IT system for KPI reporting).
• Tachograph Use & Data Management: Correct use of tachographs, accuracy of recorded data, and secure storage and analysis of data.
• Compliance with Regulations: Verification of adherence to EU Drivers' Hours Regulations and Working Time Directive.
• Infringement Management: Processes for identifying, investigating, and addressing drivers' hours infringements.

V. Operational Management:

• Journey Planning & Control: Processes for route planning, scheduling, and ensuring safe and efficient operations.
• Driver & Vehicle Allocation: How drivers and vehicles are managed and allocated to ensure legal compliance and operational efficiency.
• Roadside Inspection Performance: Review of any past roadside inspection outcomes and how issues were addressed.

VI. Driver Management:

• Licence Checks: Robust processes for regular and valid driver licence checks.
• Driver Inductions: Evidence of comprehensive induction processes for new drivers.
• Disciplinary Procedures: Clear and fair disciplinary procedures in place for driver non-compliance or incidents.
• Driver Behaviour Monitoring: Systems in place to monitor and manage driver behaviour, including addressing issues.

VII. Training & Competence:

• Driver Training: Ensuring drivers receive necessary initial and ongoing training (e.g., Driver CPC, specific vehicle training, safety briefings).
• Staff Training: Training for other key personnel involved in transport operations (e.g., planners, workshop staff).
• Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate and up-to-date training records.

VIII. Policies & Procedures:

• Comprehensive Documentation: Evidence of documented policies and procedures covering all aspects of transport operations (e.g., drug & alcohol policy, incident reporting, safe loading).
• Communication: How policies are communicated to and understood by all relevant staff.
• Review & Update: Processes for regular review and updating of policies to reflect legislative changes and best practice.

IX. Security Requirements:

• Vehicle & Load Security: Procedures to prevent theft, tampering, and ensure the security of vehicles and loads.
• Premises Security: Measures in place to secure operating centres.

X. Optional Modules (if applicable):

• If the operator has applied for specific additional modules (e.g., HS2, TfL Contractual Requirements/CLOCS), the audit will include specific standards related to those modules.

The audit typically involves a desk-based review of documentation and systems, followed by an on-site inspection to verify processes, sample vehicle and driver records, and assess the effectiveness of the operator's management controls. The aim is to confirm that the operator not only has systems in place but that they are effective and consistently applied.