Author Archives: Simon Clarke
7 Things to Think About Before Applying for an HGV Operator’s Licence
Applying for a UK operator’s licence is a big step if you’re looking to run a haulage or passenger transport business. It’s not just about filling out forms; you’ve got to tick a lot of boxes to prove you’re legit, capable, and financially sound. The Senior Traffic Commissioner’s statutory guidance […]
Changes to The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness
On 5 November 2024, the updated version of the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness has been published. A number of significant changes have been included which we have summarised below. All Operators and Transport Managers are expected to have a good understanding of the expectations of the Traffic Commissioner relating to […]
Driver CPC Deadline of 9 September 2024
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence ‘Driver CPC’ is a professional qualification for drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles and certain Passenger Carrying Vehicles. It is a legal requirement to hold a valid Driver CPC to drive and relevant vehicle on the UK roads. The Driver CPC requirement became mandatory in […]
New Venue for Office of the Traffic Commissioner for the North East
On 14 August 2024 it was announced that the North East base for the Office of the Traffic Commissioner is relocating from Harehills Leeds, to Quarry House Leeds. The full address for the new venue is Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE. The old venue was also the DVSA […]
Simon Clarke & Millicent Dooher appear in the Court of Appeal
Guidance on new Civil Penalty Scheme For Clandestine Entrants handed down Simon and Millicent, both barristers of SBC, appeared before the Court of Appeal to represent our client KLG Trucking SRL in their appeal against civil penalties. Both KLG and the Home Secretary were asking the Court to hand down […]
Changes to the HGV and PSV Inspection Manuals
From 1 June 2024, an updated HGV Inspection Manual and an updated PSV Inspection Manual come into force. The new Inspection Manuals can be found here HGV Manual PSV Manual. The HGV and PSV Inspection Manuals are important documents for all Operators. They set out the application of relevant vehicle […]
Changes to Driver CPC Announced
Following a recent consultation undertaken by the Government which can be viewed here, a further announcement had been made with the amendments to the Driver CPC requirements to come into effect in 2025. Drivers of HGVs and PSVs are required in most circumstances to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence. […]
International Operators – Smart Tachograph 2 Deadline Approaching
Trade Associations, including CPT have been keen to remind Operators working internationally that many of their vehicles will require an upgrade as the requirement to have vehicles fitted with a Smart Tachograph 2 comes into force at the end of the year. The oldest vehicles on the road, which includes […]
New Border Force Checklist for the Prevention of Clandestine Entrants
Smith Bowyer Clarke Road Transport Lawyers have helped hauliers and drivers in the UK and across the EU save hundreds of thousands of pounds in Civil Penalties imposed unfairly by Border Force in relation to clandestine entrants. Barristers Simon Clarke and Millicent Dooher obtained a ruling from the Court of […]
Are You Aware of Your Notification Requirements on Your Operator’s Licence?
You have been granted your licence, recruited drivers, set up vehicles and processes, but are you aware of your ongoing obligations reporting changes within the business to the Traffic Commissioner? The Operator’s Licence document which is issued via the online portal contains some vital information and is too often overlooked. […]
