tap™ exceeds VOSA requirements

The Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA) report that they are more than satisfied with tap™, the UK’s first online vehicle service planning and scheduling tool, which automatically updates and archives service, maintenance and legal documentation and provides instant access 24 hours a day via the internet.

VOSA were recently invited to examine tap™, developed by brs Truck Rental, to ensure that it met their requirements regarding electronic capture and storage of service, maintenance and legal documentation as set out in VOSA’s Code of Practice, the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.

The Guide states that “The system must be tamper-proof and capable of producing hard copy information for use at public enquiries held by Traffic Commissioners. Computer records must contain [a written report on each safety inspection separately for both vehicles and trailers] with the exception of a full list of the items inspected and an indication of each item inspected.”

“tap™ exceeds the requirements laid out in the Guide,” says Neil Cumming, VOSA’s Project Manager for Roadworthiness Enforcement & Operator Licensing Policy. “We were looking for compliance with the requirements, especially security. We are satisfied that the documents stored are tamper-proof and the information stored also exceeds that required by the Guide – every detail of work carried out or defects found is available. It is a highly impressive system.”

As a result, VOSA examiners now have the option to view maintenance documents online as proof of work carried out.

“As the security of tap™ is not in question, our examiners can accept on-screen documents as legal and proper without the need to see the original hard copies,” explains Neil. “The system also has the flexibility to provide hardcopies to examiners if required.”

“For ourselves, it means VOSA can view required documentation from a number of locations, be that the operators premises, the repairers or other locations if the operator is willing to provide us with the necessary password.”

tap™ has been developed from brs Truck Rental’s own online documentation storage system, the Operator Licence Pack. Speaking about VOSA’s view, James Walker - BRS Managing Director said: “We are very pleased with VOSA’s acceptance of tap™ following their inspection. A lot of hard work went into creating a tool that was powerful, comprehensive, yet simple to use and this recognition is a validation of that effort.”