Ask the MAC – 12 Mar 2026

Speeding off…

Q. Do we need to inform the Traffic Commissioner when a driver receives notification to attend a speed awareness course?

A. The Office of the Traffic Commissioner’s statutory guidance on driver conduct says that there are occasions when drivers are offered awareness courses as an alternative to prosecution, conviction and endorsements. Whilst this is most common for speeding offences, it may also be offered for other offences. In the normal course of events, the Traffic Commissioner will not be aware of the offer of an awareness course, but to ensure a consistent and fair approach, they are of the belief that the attendance of an awareness course should be treated as an offence and should therefore be notified within 28 days.

Entering the digital age…

Q. All our capture and storage of safety inspection reports has always been stored manually, with hard copies kept in the relevant vehicle history files. We are now looking at switching to an electronic system. Do we still have to keep hard copies?

A. It is perfectly acceptable to use an electronic system to capture and store safety inspection data. Therefore, hard copies would not have to be kept if details were transferred into the new electronic system and records were available for at least 15 months.

However, the system must be tamper-proof and capable of producing hard copy information as and when required on request. This could be for DVSA enforcement or for use at public inquiries. It must clearly state what has been checked and by whom, and there must be a clear end to end audit trail. The system must also be able to meet all the requirements as laid down in the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness, including having the ability to store safety inspection and repair work for at least 15 months.