DVSA has announced that, from today (27 January 2025), body worn cameras will be a mandatory part of the uniform of Traffic Examiners, Vehicle Examiners, Enforcement Support Officers and Enforcement Managers engaging in roadside stops, operator visits, MOT scheme visits and any other enforcement activity where Examiners’ safety could be at risk. 

Body worn cameras have already been worn by roadside enforcement Examiners for several years and the footage has previously been used both in prosecutions and Traffic Commissioner proceedings where, for example, there is alleged obstruction of DVSA Examiners.  

The DVSA has confirmed that the use of footage for these purposes will continue in appropriate cases.  They have, however, said that the cameras will not record everything – they will only be switched on to capture inappropriate behaviour (e.g. obstruction of Examiners) or if the Examiner feels threatened.  This surely creates the risk that body worn cameras will record incomplete and/or misleading footage of events leading up to any alleged incident of inappropriate behaviour?!

JMW’s Commercial Road Transport team has represented professional drivers and operators in several cases involving the use of body worn camera footage and would encourage operators to recognise the value of vehicle CCTV systems (with audio/microphone functionality enabled) to capture details of the full conversation with DVSA Examiners.