The Phone Call I Get More Than Any Other
Of all the calls I receive at Aegis Transport Compliance, the most common starts with some version of this: "We've just checked our OCRS and it's gone amber. What do we do?"
An operator with an amber or red OCRS score is an operator under the microscope. DVSA's enforcement strategy is now fully intelligence-led — they use your Operator Compliance Risk Score to determine who gets targeted for roadside checks, operator premises visits, and ultimately Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiries. A green score means you are largely left alone. Amber or red means you are a target.
What Is an OCRS Score and How Does It Work?
Your Operator Compliance Risk Score is a live risk rating maintained by DVSA, calculated separately for your Vehicle score and your Traffic score. Your Vehicle OCRS is driven by the outcomes of roadside mechanical inspections. Your Traffic OCRS is driven by driver hours and tachograph infringements found during roadside checks.
The 30-Day OCRS Recovery Plan
Days 1 to 3 — Immediate Assessment. Full transport compliance audit to identify exactly where the problems are and how serious they are.
Days 4 to 7 — Root Cause Analysis. We identify why the problems occurred. Treating symptoms without addressing root causes produces short-term improvement and long-term failure.
Days 8 to 14 — Systems Overhaul. We implement or completely overhaul the maintenance scheduling system, defect reporting procedure, and tachograph download and analysis process.
Days 15 to 21 — Driver Briefings. Every driver gets briefed on the specific infringements that contributed to the OCRS deterioration and what is expected going forward. All briefings documented.
Days 22 to 30 — Monitoring and Verification. We verify that changes are being followed in practice and put an ongoing monitoring framework in place.
If your OCRS is amber or red, call me today for a free consultation. The conversation costs you nothing. Staying amber or red could cost you everything. Contact Aegis now.
Liam Gafoor — Founder, Aegis Transport Compliance Limited
Liam has 19 years of hands-on experience at the highest levels of UK transport operations and compliance, including heading up a £450 million operation for the fifth largest company in the world.