Understanding the OCRS Risk Score System

If you’re a goods vehicle operator, the DVSA is watching your compliance — and it’s not random.

Behind the scenes, the DVSA uses something called the Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) to decide which vehicles and operators to target for roadside checks and enforcement.

Even if you’ve never heard of it, the OCRS might already be working for you or against you.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• What the OCRS is

• How it’s calculated

• What the colour bands mean

• How it affects roadside stops

• How to improve your score

• What Restricted Licence holders need to know

🚨 What Is the OCRS?

OCRS stands for Operator Compliance Risk Score. It’s the DVSA’s internal system to assess how likely it is that an operator will be non-compliant.

Put simply:Good OCRS = less chance of being stopped.Bad OCRS = higher chance of DVSA attention.

It helps DVSA officers prioritise enforcement activity, including:

• Roadside checks

• Site visits

• Desk-based assessments

• Public Inquiry referrals

🧮 How Is the OCRS Calculated?

The OCRS is calculated based on your:

1. Roadworthiness Score

Covers vehicle condition and maintenance, including:

• Prohibitions issued at the roadside

• MOT failures

• Safety inspection results

2. Traffic Score

Covers operator behaviour and compliance, such as:

• Tachograph offences

• Driver hours breaches

• Overloading

• Licence infringements

Each event is given a points value depending on how serious it is, and the total score is weighted over a rolling 3-year period.

More recent offences carry more weight.

🎯 OCRS Colour Bands Explained

Your OCRS result is placed into one of four colour bands:

Band	Meaning
Green	Low-risk operator — high compliance
Amber	Medium-risk — borderline or emerging issues
Red	High-risk — DVSA likely to target
Grey	No data — new or inactive operator

Note: You won’t usually be told your band unless you request it — but DVSA uses it daily in their risk-based targeting.

🚛 How OCRS Affects Roadside Checks

When you pass an ANPR camera or DVSA check area, your OCRS is factored in instantly.

High score (Red):

• More likely to be pulled over

• Vehicles may be inspected thoroughly

• Increased scrutiny on driver hours, defects, overloading

Low score (Green):

• Less likely to be stopped

• If stopped, may receive faster pass-through

• Viewed as trustworthy and compliant

📈 Examples of Events That Impact OCRS

Event	Risk Impact
MOT failure	Moderate – Roadworthiness
S-marked prohibition at roadside	High – Roadworthiness
Driver hours infringement (fixed penalty)	Moderate – Traffic
Overloading by 20%	High – Traffic
DVSA inspection with clean report	Positive – Lowers score
Missed PMI or no maintenance evidence	High – Roadworthiness
Public Inquiry outcome (warning or worse)	Very High – Both scores

🗃️ What Data Is Used?

DVSA pulls data from:

• Roadside inspections

• DVSA vehicle examiners

• MOT testing stations

• Fixed penalties and prosecutions

• Public Inquiry records

• DVSA’s own desk-based audits

All operators with a licence are scored, including those with just one vehicle under a Restricted Licence.

👤 Does OCRS Apply to Restricted Licence Holders?

Yes — absolutely.

Even though you’re not required to have a Transport Manager, you’re still expected to:

• Maintain vehicles to a high standard

• Follow tachograph or domestic driver hours rules

• Keep records and respond to DVSA requests

• Honour all undertakings given with your licence

DVSA won’t give you an easier ride just because you have fewer vehicles — in fact, many restricted operators have worse OCRS scores due to low awareness.

📉 How to Improve Your OCRS Score

Improving your OCRS takes time, but it’s achievable:

✅ Maintain Your Vehicles Properly

• Stick to a fixed PMI schedule (e.g. every 6 weeks)

• Fix defects promptly and record all work done

• Use qualified garages and get brake tests regularly

✅ Record & Rectify Every Defect

• Log daily walkaround checks

• Investigate any issues

• Show evidence of repairs and follow-up

✅ Reduce MOT Failures

• Prepare for tests properly

• Use pre-MOT inspections

• Keep a clean pass record

✅ Train Drivers on Tachograph and Hours Rules

• Ensure proper tacho use (if in-scope)

• Download and monitor data

• Address infringements quickly

✅ Respond Promptly to DVSA Contacts

• Reply to letters and emails

• Cooperate during assessments

• Provide evidence when asked

✅ Request a DVSA Earned Recognition Audit (Optional)

If you're confident in your systems, consider DVSA Earned Recognition — a scheme that exempts you from roadside checks in return for regular digital reporting.

Even if you don’t join, working to that standard can raise your OCRS profile.

🧾 Can You Check Your Own OCRS?

You can request your OCRS score from the DVSA using a Freedom of Information request or via the DVSA's operator licensing self-service system (if available to your account).

But even without the number, you can estimate your standing:

• If you’ve had no prohibitions, no MOT failures, and no penalties, you’re likely Green or Amber.

• If you’ve had multiple roadside issues, driver offences, or DVSA attention, you could be Red.

🔄 OCRS: A Dynamic Risk System

OCRS isn’t static — it changes as events happen.

Good operators who fix their problems and stay clean will see their score improve over time.Bad operators who ignore the rules will rise through the risk bands — and attract more enforcement.

That’s why regular self-auditing and record keeping is key.

✅ Summary Checklist: Improve Your OCRS

• Create and stick to a maintenance schedule

• Keep 15+ months of PMI and defect records

• Download tacho and driver card data as required

• Monitor and respond to driver hours infringements

• Train yourself or staff on key compliance areas

• Prepare for MOTs and reduce fails

• Keep all DVSA correspondence on file

• Address every issue the first time

🧠 Final Thoughts

OCRS is your compliance reputation score — and it follows your operation wherever you go.

You can’t hide from it. But you can manage it.

By taking control of your maintenance, documentation, and driver management, you’ll avoid being targeted and build a track record of trust.

Even if you only operate one vehicle — your score still matters.

Next in the series:👉 Top 5 Compliance Myths Busted for Restricted Licence Holders