Welcome to the latest of our regular enforcement updates - where we'll share:
- court cases – a real example of DVSA’s enforcement work in action
- practical tips – advice on making a report to DVSA
Our priority is to keep everyone protected from unsafe vehicles and drivers and we conduct investigations into non-compliance issues as part of our ongoing enforcement activity.
We want to share a recent court case with you that demonstrates what happens where non-compliance is detected, so you can see what action we can take to help maintain the safety of our roads.
This month, instead of featuring one court case, we’re taking you behind the scenes of how a major investigation is put together. We’re sharing the full details to reassure you that our enforcement officers won’t tolerate those who continually flout the rules.
 Cabotage case hits the brakesOur enforcement colleagues made history on 6 May 2026, when they stopped and impounded the first non-UK public service vehicle (PSV) for cabotage offences.
Cabotage is when a foreign company transports goods or passengers between two places within another country.
From 1 April 2025, EU bus and coach operators were no longer allowed to pick up passengers in the UK for a UK-only tour. International operators can transport passengers into and out of the UK, but only for journeys they are authorised to operate.
The company involved, which is based in the Republic of Ireland, first came to DVSA’s attention in May 2025. It was carrying American tourists on a UK-only tour of Canterbury, in breach of cabotage rules.
The driver could not provide a UK journey form, also known as a waybill, and was found to have historic drivers’ hours offences.
Further enquiries found that the operator regularly carried out similar tours in the UK. DVSA warned that any further cabotage offences could result in its vehicles being impounded.
The investigation also identified links to a UK-based company with a history of regulatory issues, including surrendered and revoked licences and being placed on UK and non-UK impound lists.
Over the following year, colleagues continued to gather intelligence and take enforcement action. Although the operator stopped visiting Canterbury, its vehicles were later linked to ski trips and further drivers’ hours offences.
Targeted automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) markers were placed on the operator’s vehicles to help locate them.
On 6 May 2026, ANPR identified a coach travelling east on the M2 towards Canterbury.
Enforcement Support Officers followed the vehicle into Canterbury and were joined by one of our Traffic Examiners.
The team confirmed that the operator had once again collected American tourists in the UK for a tour of historic locations.
After speaking to colleagues from Enforcement services and Intelligence, the vehicle was impounded. The operator arranged alternative transport for the passengers before the coach was recovered by DVSA contractors.
The operation resulted in:
- the first non-UK PSV being impounded for cabotage offences
- an unauthorised UK-only tour being stopped
- targeted ANPR intelligence successfully locating the vehicle
- coordinated action across enforcement, policy and intelligence teams
This outcome is a strong example of what can be achieved through coordinated enforcement activity and the effective use of intelligence.
 If you think a driver or a vehicle operator is breaking safety rules or conditions of their driving or operator licence, you can report them to us. This includes if they are:
- breaking drivers’ hours rules
- overloading vehicles
- using vehicles that are not safe to drive (not roadworthy)
- using emission cheat devices
- carrying dangerous or hazardous goods without permission
We will review the information you have provided and decide what to do next. Report a lorry or HGV driver or company on GOV.UK. |
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