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Information for members of the scheme
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The Approved Operator Scheme (AOS) is a scheme launched for BPA members in October 2007. The AOS is designed specifically for those BPA members that operate parking enforcement services on private land or in unregulated public car parks. Operators may conduct a wide range of services in this sector, including but not limited to: wheelclamping and vehicle removal, or enforcement by ticketing or Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, or services such as back office functions, data management and debt recovery.
The AOS is supported by the BPA Code of Practice for Parking Enforcement on Private Land and Unregulated Car Parks.
Continued membership to the Association is dependent on operators in this sector signing up to the Code of Practice and joining the AOS.
Anyone involved in any form of off-street enforcement, as detailed above, and wishing to join the BPA must join the Approved Operator Scheme.
In 2007, the DVLA announced a number of changes to the way in which they allowed access to Vehicle Keeper data. One of the key changes is that any company/organisation that accesses Vehicle Keeper data via an electronic request process that is not a Local Authority or Government Organisation must be a member of an Accredited Trade Association (ATA). This change came into effect from 01 October 2007, via the launch of the AOS.
The BPA welcomed the change but called for further restriction, as the change did not refer to postal applications. In 2009, the DVLA published a consultation to close the loophole and from 23 November 2009, all operators that request information that accesses vehicle keeper data whether electronically or by post must either be a member of an Acredited Trade Association (ATA), or be regulated by government or legislation.
One condition of an ATA is that they have a Code of Practice in place. Since the DVLA announcement, the BPA has been working with DVLA and has now achieved ATA status and shares with DVLA all plans for the AOS.
We are pleased that BPA is the first (and currently only) ATA for the industry and that DVLA fully support and endorse our scheme.
Because only the most professional and reputable operators will be able to satisfy the rigorous compliance criteria, the scheme will enable these members to set themselves apart as operators at the level of ‘Best Practice’. Over time therefore, ownership of the AOS logo, the Safer Parking Scheme logo, and membership to the BPA will help members to provide a feeling of safety and confidence for motorists when they choose to use a car park that is identified in this way.
Historically compliance with the BPA Code of Practice has been reliant on members operating reasonably and responsibly and by self certifying their compliance through providing BPA with an annual evidence of compliance report. With the launch of the 2009 Code, the BPA seeks to bring a degree of self regulation to the off street parking industry by introducing a stronger compliance monitoring programme. In order to support the programme the BPA will employ an independent auditor to support the AOS team who will manage the programme with additional support from the BPA’s network of Safer Parking Scheme Development Managers.
The compliance monitoring programme will offer practical advice and guidance to members, deliver regular site assessments and operational audits as well as discussing compliance issues that have arisen from complaints made by members of the public.
The AOS is a non-profit making, fee based scheme and the management and operation of the scheme (including the compliance monitoring programme) will be directly funded by the fee revenue.
Upon applying to join the scheme, there is a £500 administration fee. Then, once the application process is complete there is an annual membership fee payable by all members. The fee structure is based on annual turnover and is as follows: -
| Very Small Businesses up to £50K | £500.00 + Vat |
| Small Businsses between £50K - £500K | £1000.00 + Vat |
| Medium Businesses Between £500K - £1m | £2000.00 + Vat |
| Large Businsses between £1m - £5m | £3000.00 + Vat |
| National Businesses over £5m | £4000.00 + Vat |
Tiered membership fee for all who access DVLA Vehicle Keeper data electronically:
This is in addition to existing BPA membership benefits (for details please click here).
To apply to be a member of the AOS you must first ensure that you are compliant with the Code of Practice for Parking Enforcement on Private Land and Unregulated Public Car Parks
You must also adhere to the BPAs Code of Conduct.
When you are satisfied that you adhere to these, please complete the following:
Return your completed forms to AOS, British Parking Association, 41-43 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3BN
Please note that applications will take up to 28 days to be processed.
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