Have you witnessed an unsafe HGV, bus or coach driver? If you believe one of these vehicles has broken road safety rules, you can report the incident to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Legitimate reasons to contact the DVSA about a commercial vehicle or public transport driver include:
- Breaking drivers’ hours rules (i.e. driving for too long between breaks)
- Overloading a vehicle
- Using vehicles that are unsafe or unroadworthy
- Carrying dangerous or hazardous goods without permission
- Driving an excessively smoky and polluting lorry, bus or coach
- Using emissions ‘cheat’ devices
Doing so could help improve safety on Britain’s roads and even save lives. So what are the next steps?
What information is required?
If you decide to report a lorry, bus or coach driver, the DVSA will need to know:
- Who is involved (the driver or company name)
- The registration number of the vehicle(s) in question
- The reason for the complaint
- When and where the incident took place.
There are three ways to submit the information:
- Email: enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk
- Telephone: 0800 030 4103 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm)
- Post: Intelligence Unit, DVSA, The Ellipse, Padley Road, Swansea, SA1 8AN
Can I report a driver anonymously?
The DVSA says it won’t ever ask for names or contact details, phone calls will not be traced and statements will not be required.
Also, if you wish to remain anonymous. you will not be called as a witness or be asked to appear in court.
However, anyone willing to supply details may be contacted for more information. And they could be asked to provide a statement or act as a witness, so think carefully before you submit the information.
What happens after a report is made?
The DVSA will review the information you provide before deciding whether or not to examine the case.
Other government agencies or the police might then get involved, depending on the severity of the incident.
You will receive feedback after the investigation, when official proceedings have ended. The DVSA cannot provide feedback on an ongoing case, however.
How to report other crimes
The process is different for other, non-vehicle-related offences, such as drink driving, speeding and driving while disqualified. In such cases, you should contact the police first.
To complain about a bus driver being rude or buses not arriving as per the timetable, visit the Bus Users website.
If the bus service was in London or Northern Ireland, you should contact London TravelWatch or the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland respectively.
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