Hamshire's Coliseum Coaches has joined an elite group of organisations - including John Lewis, BT and Sainsburys - in new trial designed to make the roads safer.

The coach firm, part of the Lucketts Group, is one of 30 organisations taking part in the DVSA’s pilot scheme, Earned Recognition, launched last week.

DVSA earned recognition for vehicle operators is a new way for organisations with lorries, buses and coaches to prove they meet driver and vehicle standards.

They’ll regularly share performance information with DVSA, such as their MOT initial pass rates and if their drivers have broken drivers’ hours rules.

In return, their vehicles are less likely to be stopped for roadside inspections.

DVSA will still stop vehicles if they’re in an obviously dangerous condition.

Managing director Tony Lawman said the fact Coliseum Coaches was one of the first on the trial is testament to its compliance, safety and engineering record.

“It’s been an honour to be asked to do this and I’m pleased that Coliseum Coaches is one of the first PCV or HGV operators to be officially accepted. It’s testament to the exacting standards and processes we’ve had in place for many years and how our team have embraced this as a tool to help manage our business.”