The strategy has been rolled out from 1 September, following a year-long trial which saw 449 vehicles caught at five locations around the country.
Drivers caught with an emissions cheat device, or a faulty emissions control system, have ten days to remove the device and repair the emissions system. If they fail to do so, they can be fined £300 and have their vehicle taken off the road.
DVSA’s follow-up investigation with the operator could result in referral to the traffic commissioners, who could revoke the operator’s licence.
Gareth Llewellyn, DVSA chief executive, said: “A vehicle doesn’t have to be falling apart to be unsafe – any driver or operator who uses cheat devices to get around emissions rules is putting the health of the entire nation at risk.
“DVSA will take the strongest possible action against anyone who tries to cheat emissions rules.”
Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK, says the government. Cheat devices mean an HGV can produce up to 20 times more dangerous emissions.