Category: How to Stay Compliant with the Traffic Commissioner
Do I Need a Transport Manager?
Who needs a Transport Manager? A transport manager is necessary if you hold a Standard National or Standard International Operator’s Licence. This is because there is a requirement to show professional competence for both types of licence. This is the same for both goods vehicles and passenger carrying vehicles, regardless […]
Using a Mobile Phone at the Wheel – DPP v Ramsey Barretto Judgement
The Appellant in this case was caught using a mobile telephone to film an accident as he was driving past. The High Court held that for the purposes of a prosecution under Section 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Regulation 110 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) […]
Continuation Fees: A Stupid Way to Lose Your Operator’s Licence
Those of you who have glanced at their Operator’s Licence might have noticed that there is a review date five years after the grant of the Licence. In order to continue the licence after that date the Operator must pay a continuation fee for the licence to continue. The Office […]
How Do You Deal with Drivers’ Hours Infringements? – What are Your Obligations as a Transport Manager?
Even in the best run transport business there will inevitably be occasions when drivers cut corners, make mistakes or in some cases deliberately bend the rules. This article looks at the practical processes and procedures Transport Managers and operators should have in place to: Monitor driver compliance and identify drivers’ […]
O Licence Holders: Can You Answer “Yes” to these 10 Questions? If Not, You Need to Act – Fast
1) Have you kept the Traffic Commissioner up to date with any changes to your maintenance arrangements or operating centre. 2) Do your vehicles undergo roller brake testing on at least a quarterly basis? 3) Do you currently have financial standing to operate your vehicles? 4) Are your drivers carrying […]
Are your Drivers Properly Employed?
We have recently been consulted by a number of HGV and PSV operators who have engaged drivers on a self-employed basis. Whilst there is nothing wrong with subcontracting work to a driver who holds their own Operator’s Licence and owns their own vehicle, big problems can arise if you engage […]
Operator Licences Held by Partnerships – A Risky Strategy
It can be very risky operating HGVs as a business partnership. You must know exactly what the rules are or you place your licence and your business at risk, and may even find yourself with a criminal record. Consider the Following Nightmare Scenario: You are in a business partnership […]
HGV Drivers, Mobile Phones & the Traffic Commissioner – 5 Things You Need to Know
Using a phone behind the wheel is a serious offence, and more so for truck drivers. Below are 5 things all HGV drivers, operators and Transport Managers need to know: 1) Committing this Offence is Easier than You Might Think As a professional driver you will almost certainly know […]
An Unforeseen Consequence of Being Your Own Transport Manager
If you hold an operator’s licence, there can be a number of advantages to being your own Transport Manager: You save a wage that you would otherwise have to pay. You can keep a proper overview of your drivers and their adherence to their drivers’ hours, working time and continuing […]
How Much Do You Trust Your Maintenance Provider?
In order to obtain an Operator’s Licence, applicants confirm that records of maintenance and repairs will be kept for 15 months. It is therefore of no surprise that a significant number of operators routinely file away their PMI reports, so as to comply with this requirement, without any form of […]
