Operator Licensing - The Traffic Commissioner

There are seven Traffic Commissioners and they are appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport and have responsibility in their area for:

• The licensing of the operators of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and of buses and coaches (Public Service Vehicles or PSVs).
• The registration of local bus services.
• Granting vocational licences and taking action against drivers of HGVs and PSVs.

The Traffic Commissioner for Scotland is also responsible for dealing with both appeals against decisions by Scottish local authorities on taxi fares, with appeals against charging and removing improperly parked vehicles in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Traffic Commissioners are statutorily independent in their licensing functions. When necessary, they hold Public Inquiries, in particular to consider the environmental suitability of HGV operating centres and the possibility of disciplinary action against operators who have not observed the conditions of their licences.

One Traffic Commissioner, (currently the South Eastern and Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner, Phillip Brown), is the Senior Traffic Commissioner, an administrative appointment which gives him the role of encouraging consistency in licensing decisions and procedures. The Traffic Commissioners are assisted by Deputy Traffic Commissioners, who hold some of the Public Inquiries. The Eastern Area Traffic Commissioner, Mr Richard Turfitt, officially takes up the post on 1st May 2008, following the retirement of Mr Geoffrey Sims.

It is wise not to treat any of the Traffic Commissioners lightly. They have far reaching powers and can take disciplinary action against both goods vehicle operators and vocational drivers that can, in effect, end the ability to earn a living.

Operators - Public Inquiries (PI)

If you, as an Operator, are believed to be carrying out operations outside of the obligations you made to the Traffic Commissioner when your 'O' licence was first granted, then you will be called to public inquiry.

If you are called to 'PI' things are serious!!  Don't be fooled, the Traffic Commissioner can remove your good repute and/or remove your ability to operate, just like that.

Vocational drivers' - truck and bus

If you lose your driving licence for a period of time through the courts you must be aware that the Traffic Commissioners have the authority to decide that, when your driving licence is returned, your 'vocational' entitlements are held back for a longer period or that you must re-take a vocational (HGV) practical test before resuming your career as a HGV driver.