0121 289 7541
If you find yourself subject to a DVSA Audit or have been called to a UK Public Inquiry or In-Chambers Hearing, Contact Us IMMEDIATELY so that we have as much time as possible to assess the issues and take corrective action.
Expert Team
Our expert team of transport industry experienced and ex-enforcement experienced officers are best placed in the UK to provide support, assistance and representation to Operators who are under investigation or have been called to Public Inquiry.
The Office of the Traffic Commissioner in the UK implement the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995. Along with other authorities, they licence and regulate operators of goods vehicles over 3500kg.
Working with other statutory bodies such as DVSA in Great Britain, who have the power to stop, inspect and take enforcement action against vehicles and operators, OtC act to advise, guide, regulate, investigate and if necessary, take regulatory action against operators and transport managers who do not adhere to the strict rules in place to ensure compliance with the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995.
Using information reported to them directly by operators, from members of the public or information gathered from statutory partners such as DVSA or Police, the Traffic Commissioner has authority to call transport operators or managers to hearings and public inquiries where information and evidence is considered and your good repute, the trust placed in you to operate a safe and maintained fleet of vehicles, is re-examined.
The Traffic Commissioner has authority to take action against an operator or transport manager including curtailment (reduction of authorised fleet), suspension or revocation of an operator licence, and for transport managers, removal of their good repute and disqualification from acting as transport managers. They can also direct operators to arrange independent compliance audits and transport managers to attend refresher training to satisfy the Traffic Commissioner as to the repute or trustworthiness of that operator or transport manager.
A public inquiry, or a less formal, in-chambers hearing, is an opportunity for the Traffic Commissioner to hear information and evidence to allow for an examination of the applicant of an operator licence or an existing operator or transport manager before making decision to grant an application or to take regulatory action against an operator or transport manager.
You may be called to a hearing or public inquiry if:
Attending a public inquiry can be a daunting experience and very often your livelihood can be affected by suspension or disqualification should your conduct lead to removal of your good repute by the Traffic Commissioner. Very often, those attending public inquiries are represented legally by Solicitors and a Transport Consultant if the Traffic Commissioner agrees.
At a hearing or inquiry, the Traffic Commissioner will listen to the information and circumstances of the application, case or issue and will listen to any objectors or pertinent information such as a report or official audit from DVSA. They will speak to the applicant who can make representations before all arguments are summed up and the case considered by the Traffic Commissioner who will notify a decision of an application or in a case, in writing, usually within 28 days.
In cases where conduct is being questioned, the Traffic Commissioner may issue penalties such as:
We can Help
As a Transport Consultancy, with decades of experience in the transport industry, including staff with ex-enforcement backgrounds, we have experience on “both sides of the fence”. We can advise, assist, consult or represent you should you find yourself subject to a Public Inquiry or DVSA Audit in the UK, or called to a hearing, or summonsed to court.
DVSA, Police and the Traffic Commissioner are not to be feared but, operators who come under scrutiny should never bury their head in the sand. In fact, the Traffic Commissioners work very much from a place of trust. Showing pro-activity and engaging with them can often avoid the need for a public inquiry and when you show a willingness to engage and improve standards and levels of compliance, very often a less formal in-chambers hearing or even submission of paperwork is enough to satisfy the Traffic Commissioner. But this is only possible with early and positive engagement.
For example, contracting Nationwide Transport & Training to review your systems and procedures and carry out a Compliance Audit, rectifying any issues and training your staff will remove any possibility that you will come to the attention of the Traffic Commissioner or any statutory partners. If you are notified of an upcoming DVSA Audit, early engagement with Nationwide Transport & Training will ensure that we can carry out our own audit, rectify any issues and remove any issues for DVSA when they come to audit.
Your pro-activity and seeking out external help will stand you in good stead with the Traffic Commissioner and this help is always positively reflected and acknowledged in DVSA Audits and in Public Inquiries.
0121 289 7541
If you find yourself subject to a DVSA Audit or have been called to a UK Public Inquiry or In-Chambers Hearing, Contact Us IMMEDIATELY so that we have as much time as possible to assess the issues and take corrective action.