VOSA - Your experiences

[xuvious]

Just had a very near miss as a VOSA van put its flashing lights on as it passed us, as it happens he was after the transit tipper in front of us not me - but it got me thinking were good on payload etc but these sorts of people would always find something to pick holes in!

Has anyone here ever been pulled over by police / vosa and what were your experiences?

 

[L&M]

Yes - I have on the way to a hunt meet in a 3.5t lorry.

They spent about 20 mins doing mechanical checks and then made me drive onto a mobile weigh bridge.

Although the experience was quite nerve wracking, the inspectors were considerate of the fact that there was a horse on board and tried to do the checks as quietly and quickly as possible.

My lorry passed all the tests required and was only a minor inconvenience, but annoying that I was late for hunting!!!

 

[foraday]

Been fine - fully legal, tacho hours the lot.

Again very considerate about my neds on board and only took 15 mins max.

The lorry in front however had a different experience, carrying someone elses horse and was over weight - lots of paperwork and fines there.

That is what they are here for to keep everyone legal.

 

[Lynette]

Yes many times over the 21 years we have been transporting. It pays to be pleasant to them as they are only doing their job. Once I had them rolling in laughter as I was pulled in for the third time in as many months in the same spot, I jumped out of the cab and started to inspect the front. When asked what I was doing I told them I was looking for the neon sign on the front of the truck saying STOP ME. Needless to say I was soon on my way. At another stop they had Trading Standards and the girl doing it got into the cab and asked for the passports. I handed her one which she quickly looked at and then asked for my Holding Number. I informed her she wanted my Authorisation Number, No she insisted I want your Holding Number and started to spout off regulations to which I then insisted she was incorrect and that it was the Authorisation Number she wanted. At this point her boss interrupted and told her that in actual fact I was correct. She then started to climb out the lorry and I asked her if she wanted to inspect the horses to which she said no. I asked her then as to how many horses I had in the back and she said one. I gave her 1 passport but pointed out I could have had 9 horses in the back and she was none the wise as she had not even looked in the back. One very red faced Trading Standards Officer who learnt the hard way how to do the job correctly.