What is a prohibition?
If a DVSA examiner finds a vehicle unfit for the road, they can issue a prohibition. The vehicle must not be used (or used only as the notice allows) until the defect is repaired and the prohibition is cleared.
Immediate and delayed
- Immediate: the defect is serious enough that the vehicle must stop now. It might be moved only to a safe place.
- Delayed: the defect is not dangerous right now but must be fixed within a set time.
The real cost
Recovery or repair at the roadside, a missed delivery, driver time, a possible hit to your risk score and extra attention from DVSA.
What to do
- Stop using the vehicle as instructed.
- Get it repaired by a competent person.
- Follow the process to clear the prohibition.
- Look at why it was missed. Was it on a daily check? A PMI?
Prevention
Most prohibitions are for issues like tyres, lights, brakes and security of load, which a daily check and a regular PMI catch. A recorded daily check makes it less likely. Read the OCRS guide too.
General information for Great Britain, not legal advice. Rules change, so check GOV.UK and DVSA for the latest. Northern Ireland has its own rules.