The authorities want to focus on the seriously and serially non-compliant operators, however they have to do that within their resourcing limits. Following a trial in 2015 the DVSA have now indicated that it intends to launch its Earned Recognition scheme in early 2017.  Under the scheme operators that give access to their compliance data will be rewarded with fewer compliance checks (assuming the data made available demonstrates compliance). Operators will need to have held an O-licence for at least two years and have a good compliance track record. Other criteria under consideration include drivers’ hours KPIs, a pass rate of over 95% for annual tests and no regulatory action taken in the previous two years. Speaking at a conference the DVSA’s compliance product manager David Wood said earned recognition is expected to be offered to all operators in the final quarter of the 2016-17 financial year. Operators using tachograph analysis software such as Smartanalysis will be able to provide data and reports which demonstrate their compliance. If you are not already using it, now is the time!