Advice and guidance for operators and transport managers of trucks, buses and vans
The Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) are working together to replace ‘Operator Self Service’ with a new online system.
Fair competition is an important principle for any business. Compliant organisations who compete with each other on a level playing field don’t try to cut corners or break rules.
On 1 January 2016, revised financial standing levels for standard national and international operator licence applications and continuations came into force.
Following consultation with stakeholders and industry, the Senior Traffic Commissioner’s statutory documents have been updated. The revised documents, which are available online, explain the legal basis and the way traffic commissioners approach the exercise of their statutory functions.
Last year, we told you about planned changes to the online operator licence system. Since then, we’ve made further progress to develop these services.
Having an effective way to report defects should be a key part of your vehicle maintenance regime. It’s also a good way to make sure your drivers know which defects to look for. This could include locked emergency exits or missing break-glass hammers on buses and coaches.
Earlier this year, the Senior Traffic Commissioner published revised guidance for operators of local bus services in England (outside London) and Wales. If you’ve seen the document already, you’ll know the punctuality and reliability standards haven’t changed.
Planning ahead – it’s something we all like to do well. But sometimes unexpected events, or things we’ve put to one side, take us by surprise. When it comes to running vehicles, your planner will be full of dates: safety inspections, tax disc renewals, MOTs and countless other entries.
Soon some vehicles will no longer need to be fitted with tachograph recording equipment and their drivers will not have to comply with EC drivers’ hours rules, but with GB drivers’ hours rules instead.
The Department for Transport has published 2 consultations on GOV.UK and is seeking your views. These consultations cover Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing exemptions and HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicles) periodic testing and inspections exemptions.