29-03-04 One Step Closer
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has taken over the work of the International Road Freight Office (IRFO).
Staff in VOSA's City House, Cambridge, office are now taking on the responsibility for issuing international road freight permits and passenger coach authorisation. Permits are issued to goods vehicles to allow them passage through or into another country. Whether a permit is necessary depends both on the country of intended travel and the size of the vehicle and goods being carried.
Operators with permits have already received notification of the change from the Department for Transport and should see little change in the service currently received.
This change is a positive step towards the provision of a One Stop Service to the operators of the road haulage and passenger vehicles.
For more information on this or any other areas of VOSA’s work please visit www.vosa.gov.uk or call 0870 60 60 440.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) was created on 1 April 2003 by merging the Former Vehicle Inspectorate and the Traffic Area Network Division of the Department for Transport. VOSA is responsible for:
- Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
- Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
- Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
- Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
- Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
- Providing training and advice for commercial operators
- Investigating vehicle accident, defects and recalls.
Should you require further information about VOSA, its work or help with stories or programming related to road safety and environmental protection please contact: Jay Fordham or Miranda Roberts, VOSA, 0117 954 3334/3233, e-mail jeanette.fordham@vosa.gov.uk / miranda.roberts@vosa.gov.uk.
Page last updated: 25/09/2006