Graduated Fixed Penalties Arrive

An important development will take place on 28 May!

VOSA has confirmed that the introduction of graduated fixed penalties and deposits will "go live" on 28 May. From that date VOSA officers will begin to issue, at roadside enforcement checks, fixed penalties for offences committed by drivers. Fixed penalties will be graduated for drivers hours and overloading offences according to the seriousness of the breach. Drivers unable to provide a satisfactory UK address (not restricted to England and Wales), will be asked to pay a deposit equal to the likely penalty, on the spot. This may include drivers from the EU employed by UK companies who have not yet registered with the DVLA to obtain a counter part driving licence. These drivers should be encouraged to register with the DVLA as soon as possible. 

VOSA will immobilise prohibited vehicles in certain circumstances as well as vehicles where drivers had been unable to pay a required deposit. Operator licence holders will be required to notify the Traffic Commissioner of fixed penalties issued to their drivers. VOSA will maintain a driver offence record of fixed penalties issued where a driver will incur points based on the graduated fixed penalty and when a driver reaches a threshold of 12 points VOSA will consider further action such as a warning letter, further investigation or referral to a Traffic Commissioner who may consider taking action against the drivers vocational entitlement. 

Some police forces have already started issuing GFPs as they already have the experience and systems for issuing penalty notices.