Operator on Interim Licence is Granted Full Licence after Using Unauthorised Operating Centre

This operator, represented at Public Inquiry by barrister Harry Bowyer, was called into Public Inquiry for their application for an Operator’s Licence to be considered. The operator had had their previous licence revoked for regulatory failings and but had escaped disqualification. They had applied for a new licence and had been granted an interim. They hit difficulties as they were operating out of two operating centres and one became unavailable owing to difficulties with the site. They applied for a new operating centre but being an application they could not use VOL and the application got lost.

The operator began to use the operating centre regardless and was not stopped by his transport manager.

As soon as SBC got involved they ceased to use the operating centre and took their vehicles off the road

After hearing evidence the traffic commissioner granted the licence for the one authorised operating centre with an indication that once the second operating centre was advertised and the application properly made the second operating centre would be granted with an interim and the increase in authorisation would be allowed accordingly.

The repute of the operator and the transport manager were both severely tarnished as a result of the use of the unauthorised operating centre.