Commercial Vehicle Examiner (Enforcement) – Shift working

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency; Bridport; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer pension 28.97%

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Staff discount portal

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is seeking a Commercial Vehicle Examiner (Enforcement) for shift work based in Ashford (Kent) and Bridport. The role involves inspecting commercial vehicles, identifying defects, and taking enforcement action to ensure road safety.

Training and support are provided to develop expertise in inspections and evidence-based decisions. The position includes a permanent full-time contract with shift allowances and a substantial salary package, including an

Qualifications

• Experience in repair, maintenance or inspection of vehicles, with hands-on technical focus.
• Willingness to learn and train for certification and enforcement duties.
• Ability to interpret technical information and apply it to enforcement actions.

Responsibilities

• Carry out roadside checks and stop unsafe vehicles from continuing their journeys.
• Prepare clear reports based on your findings.
• Present evidence at a public inquiry or in court when required.

Skills

Enforcement procedures

Roadside vehicle inspection

Report writing

Data analysis

Education

Car driving licence (full)

Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Level 3 / IMI ATA / IRTEC registration

Job description

Commercial Vehicle Examiner (Enforcement) – Shift working

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Location: Ashford (Kent), Bridport

Salary: £46,086

Advertised salary is inclusive of a base salary of £32,027 plus an annual engineering allowance of £5,000 and a shift working payment of £9,059

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Contract Type: Permanent – Full-time, Shift working

Available Positions: 5

As a Commercial Vehicle Examiner, your work helps keep Britain’s roads safe. You will inspect commercial vehicles, identify defects, take appropriate enforcement action and provide clear technical advice to drivers, operators and colleagues.

You could be carrying out a roadside check with partner agencies, inspecting vehicles to make sure they are safe to continue their journey.

If you identify a serious defect, you will use your technical judgement to decide whether the vehicle can continue or whether enforcement action is needed.

This is an important, public-facing role where your decisions can make a direct difference to road safety.

Top Responsibilities

You will help protect road users by checking that commercial vehicles meet the required safety and roadworthiness standards. You will be supported through full training and by experienced colleagues as you develop in the role.

What you could do in a typical week

• Carry out roadside checks and stop unsafe vehicles from continuing their journeys.
• Prepare clear reports based on your findings.
• Present evidence at a public inquiry or in court when required.
• Work with colleagues, partner agencies and stakeholders to support effective enforcement activity.
• Use your technical knowledge to make decisions that support safer roads.

You will also:

• Analyse data to identify discrepancies, patterns and trends.
• Respond to technical queries from customers and provide advice, guidance and education where needed.
• Keep your technical knowledge up to date and take responsibility for your development.
• Contribute to team meetings, events and continuous improvement activity.
• Act as an ambassador for DVSA and road safety.

For more information on the role and responsibilities please see the full job advert on CS Jobs using the link provided.

Benefits

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need experience in the repair, maintenance or inspection of at least one type of vehicle, if not multiple, along with the relevant qualifications.

This is a hands‑on technical role where an eye for detail to spot defects and problems is highly important.

The Vehicle Examiner role can be physically demanding, which could include working in inspection pits and getting in and out of vehicles.

You do not need to be an expert in the role from day one, as full training will be provided. We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

Essential qualifications/licenses:

• Applicants are required to hold a full and current car driving licence.
• You must have a vocational related qualification in Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair at level 3 or IMI ATA registration at diagnostic technician level, or IRTEC registration at advanced technician level.

You will need to be proficient using laptop computers and smart phones, as we operate a digital first approach.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Monday 12th October 2026