This initiative brought together police forces, enforcement bodies, and industry representatives with a shared objective: improving road safety through a balanced approach of education and enforcement.

Who Was Involved

The day included representatives from multiple police forces, DVSA, National Highways, and industry bodies including the CPA and RHA. Importantly, the association was present to observe activity and contribute to ongoing dialogue between industry and enforcement agencies.

Purpose of the Operation

The primary focus was education, engaging with drivers of commercial vehicles and promoting compliance. While taking enforcement action where necessary to address clear risks.

What We Observed

Vehicles were stopped for inspection based largely on officer judgement rather than predefined targeting criteria. Common indicators included vehicle condition, load presentation, and ANPR alerts. In practice, this meant some stops were based on experience and instinct rather than technical triggers.

Across the day:

• *Several vehicles were stopped and found compliant, with only minor issues addressed on site
• Others required corrective action, particularly around load security and vehicle condition
• Some vehicles were immobilised due to more serious compliance issues (eg licensing, overloading)

Key Takeaways for Members

• First impressions matter: Vehicle cleanliness, visible defects,
•  and general presentation continue to play a significant role in attracting enforcement attention
• Load security remains a priority area: Even where loads appeared broadly compliant, additional securing measures were often required before vehicles were allowed to proceed
• Documentation must be robust and readily available: Licensing, insurance, and movement notifications were frequently checked
• Technical interpretation can vary: There were instances where decisions relied heavily on individual officer interpretation, particularly in abnormal or more complex loads

Areas of Concern

While the overall approach was constructive and education-led, it was evident that levels of technical knowledge and consistency can vary between officers. This highlights the importance of ongoing engagement between industry and enforcement bodies to support clearer guidance and consistent application of regulations.

What This Means for You

The association now has an open invitation to participate in future enforcement and education days, with an opportunity for members to attend, alongside CPA and RHA. This is a positive step, giving us greater opportunity to:

• Represent member interests directly
• Provide industry insight into operational realities
• Support improved consistency and understanding across enforcement activity

We are currently working with partner associations to align messaging and will be exploring opportunities for member involvement in future events.

Next Steps

We are continuing discussions with senior enforcement representatives on several technical topics, including movement notifications and load classification requirements, including STGO load descriptions. Updates will be shared as this work progresses.

In the meantime, we encourage all members to review their operational practices, particularly around vehicle condition, load security, and documentation to ensure full compliance and reduce the risk of enforcement action.