Notices issued by the DVSA and Traffic Commissioner

Operating vehicles on UK roads comes with legal responsibilities. Both drivers and operators must ensure their vehicles are safe and comply with regulations. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Traffic Commissioners (TCs) enforce these regulations through a variety of notices. Understanding what each notice means — and acting on it promptly — is crucial to avoid penalties and ensure road safety.

Prohibition Notices (PGs)

PG9 — Immediate Prohibition Notice

Issued for serious defects that make a vehicle an immediate danger to road users, prohibiting any movement until the defects are rectified. Examples include severe brake failure, dangerous tyre condition, an insecure load, or steering system malfunction. Driving a vehicle under a PG9 prohibition is a serious offence, leading to fines, penalty points, and potential vehicle impoundment.

PG10 — Removal of Prohibition Notice

Issued once a prohibited vehicle has been repaired and inspected, confirming it is safe to use. To obtain a PG10, the owner must present the repaired vehicle to a DVSA examiner or an authorised workshop for inspection.

Defect Notice

Issued for minor defects — such as a minor oil leak, cracked windscreen, or non-functioning horn — that do not warrant immediate prohibition but require attention. While less severe than a prohibition, ignoring a defect notice can lead to further action if the fault is not rectified within the specified timeframe.

PG9A — Variation Notice

Allows limited use of a prohibited vehicle under specific conditions, usually to enable travel to a repair facility. Conditions may restrict speed, distance, time of day, or type of road. For example, a coach with a minor lighting defect may be granted a PG9A to complete its journey to a depot for repairs.

PG9B — Conditional Movement Notice

Similar to PG9A, but typically used for vehicles that need to be moved a short distance for unloading or repair. Conditions may require the vehicle to be unladen, escorted, or driven below a set speed — for instance, a lorry with a defective tail lift moving to a nearby unloading bay.

TE160 — Overweight Vehicle Prohibition

Prevents vehicles exceeding weight limits from continuing their journey. It may require unloading the excess weight before proceeding, and can lead to fines and potential impoundment.

PG3 — Inspection Direction

Requires the driver to take the vehicle to a specified location — a DVSA testing station or authorised inspection facility — for a full inspection.

PG35EC — Technical Roadside Inspection Report

Issued when no defects or advisories are found during a roadside inspection. For a fuller breakdown of every PG code, see our list of DVSA PG notices.

Notices of Intended Prosecution (NIPs)

NIP (Section 172, Road Traffic Act 1988)

Requires the registered keeper or driver to identify who was driving at the time of an alleged offence — typically speeding, red light offences, or using a mobile phone while driving. Failure to provide the driver's details can itself lead to prosecution and heavier penalties.

Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN)

Offers the driver the option to pay a fixed penalty and accept penalty points instead of going to court. Commonly used for less serious offences such as minor speeding or parking violations.

Court Summons

Requires the driver to attend court to face prosecution. Used for more serious offences, or where an FPN is not offered or accepted.

Disqualification Notice

Informs the driver that they may be disqualified from driving — issued for serious offences such as dangerous driving, drink driving, or accumulating too many penalty points.

What to do if you receive a notice

1. Read it carefully. Understand the type of notice, why it was issued, and any required action.
2. Comply promptly. This may involve repairing your vehicle, attending an inspection, or providing information to the police.
3. Seek clarification. If you have questions, contact the issuing authority — DVSA, the Traffic Commissioner, or the police.
4. Consider professional advice. For serious offences, or if you believe a notice was issued unfairly, seek advice from a qualified solicitor or a transport consultant.

Key takeaways

• DVSA and TC notices play a vital role in maintaining road safety and enforcing vehicle standards.
• Understanding these notices and taking prompt action is essential to avoid penalties and stay compliant.
• Repeated prohibitions feed into your OCRS score and can trigger a Public Inquiry — so the way you respond matters to your licence as well as the individual vehicle.

Need help with a notice?

A single prohibition can be the first sign of a deeper maintenance issue, and the Traffic Commissioner will judge you on how you respond. Our consultants help operators rectify defects, strengthen maintenance systems, and prepare for any regulatory follow-up — contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.