Vehicle Off Road? Here’s What to Do (and What to Document)
Just because a vehicle is parked up or awaiting repair doesn’t mean it disappears from your maintenance obligations. In fact, how you manage VOR (Vehicle Off Road) status can make or break your compliance record.
A haulier was called to a Public Inquiry after DVSA found gaps in their PMI records. Their defence? “The truck was off the road.” But they had no documentation to back that up — no VOR log, no repair evidence, and no written communication with the garage.
Result: Negative findings and conditions added to the licence.
So what does the DVSA expect?
You must:
- Record all periods of VOR clearly
- Document any changes to the maintenance schedule
- Retain evidence of repair work (job cards, invoices, photos, email chains)
Best practice includes:
- A clear VOR log: date out, reason, who reported it, estimated return, and sign-off
- Written repair requests and technician confirmations
- Maintenance planner updates to reflect vehicle downtime
- PMIs resumed before the vehicle is returned to service
Hauliers Hub includes a VOR logging template and guidance documents — so your records stand up to scrutiny.
An off-road vehicle doesn’t mean off-the-hook compliance. Keep your logs clear, your documents safe, and your vehicles audit-ready.
✅ Need templates or guidance?
