What We Check:
Full DVSA Audit Checklist |
UK Fleet Audit
What we check
Every audit is built directly against the DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness and Traffic Commissioner Statutory Guidance. We offer three levels of audit, depending on what you need:
Standard Compliance Audit — a section-by-section review across all 10 compliance areas, giving you a clear, honest picture of where your operation stands overall.
Comprehensive Audit — our most thorough review, scoring up to 235 individual criteria across the same 10 sections, line by line. This is the audit detailed below.
Targeted Troubleshooting — a focused review of specific sections you're concerned about, ideal ahead of a renewal or where you already know where the risk sits. (Note: a targeted audit covers selected areas only, and on its own cannot satisfy a Traffic Commissioner undertaking for a full audit.)
Every operator is different, so the scope is tailored to your licence type, fleet size, and operation. Here's what our full Comprehensive audit covers, section by section.
One
Operator Licences
We check that your licence is held under the correct legal entity, that it's appropriate for the work you actually do, and that your operating centres, vehicles, and trailers are properly authorised and specified.
Examples: legal entity matches Companies House/HMRC records · sufficient off-road parking at authorised operating centres · all vehicles correctly specified before use
Two
Transport Manager
We assess whether your Transport Manager or responsible person has the knowledge, qualifications, and genuine day-to-day control required to manage the operation legally and effectively.
Examples: TM CPC and refresher training evidenced · clear reporting lines and organisational chart · effective day-to-day management control
Three
Vehicle Standards
The largest section of the audit — covering maintenance facilities, inspection frequency, braking performance, tyre and wheel security, driver walkaround checks, and how defects and recalls are managed.
Examples: safety inspections fully comply with the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness · brake performance assessed at every inspection · wheel and tyre management policy in place and followed
Four
Driver Standards
We look at how tachograph data, driver hours, and working time are managed and monitored, from card downloads through to infringement reporting.
Examples: driver and vehicle unit downloads within required timeframes · tachograph analysis identifies and addresses infringements · working time directive records properly captured
Five
Operation Management
This covers the wider running of the business — KPI reporting, insurance, vehicle excise duty, weight and height compliance, load security, and the management of agency drivers and sub-contractors.
Examples: valid insurance and VED in place · weight and height compliance policies followed · agency drivers checked for licence, CPC, and hours compliance before starting work
Six
Security Requirements
We check that operators understand current security risks, particularly around vehicles being used as weapons, and have appropriate site, staff, and reporting measures in place.
Examples: security policy in place and understood · site security measures at operating centres · staff trained to report suspicious behaviour
Seven
Driver Management
From recruitment through to ongoing conduct, this section checks how drivers are vetted, licensed, and managed throughout their employment.
Examples: driving licence and Driver CPC checked at least every 3 months · recruitment process includes proper assessment and checks · driver behaviour and disciplinary policies in place
Eight
Training
We check that drivers and staff receive the right training — both mandatory Driver CPC and any additional training relevant to your operation.
Examples: CPC and CPD training evidenced and forward-planned · training matrix in place for all staff · additional relevant training documented
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Additional Policies
This covers the wider policy framework every operator should have — road safety, drink and drug testing, mobile phone use, health and safety, fatigue, and whistleblowing.
Examples: drink, drugs, and driver health policy in place · health and safety and fatigue policies documented · whistleblowing policy in place
Ten
ADR — Carriage of Dangerous Goods (where applicable)
For operators carrying dangerous goods, we check that a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor is in place, drivers are properly trained, and vehicles, documentation, and load security meet ADR requirements.
Examples: DGSA appointed and appropriately involved · ADR training evidenced for relevant staff · correct vehicle marking and documentation in place.
What you get at the end
Every criterion is scored as Compliant, an Observation, a Non-conformance, or Not Applicable — with clear notes behind every score. You'll receive a full written report covering your results section by section, any non-conformances that need addressing, observations worth acting on, and the strengths we found along the way. Standard and Targeted audits follow the same scoring and reporting approach, scaled to their scope.
