How to avoid appearing before the Traffic Commissioner
You have your Operator’s Licence and your vehicles are on the road… … but how do you make sure that you do not fall foul of the law and the Traffic Commissioner?
Tel: 01773 850 428
Posted on Aug 09, 2018
- Invest in your maintenance regime
Use an effective planning system to make sure that you are always on time with inspections and use a maintenance provider who you can trust. Maintenance is expensive so ensure you check the paperwork properly and that you are happy with the work done. The periodic checks are preventative maintenance checks. If there are high levels of defects needing resolution, you may need to do these more frequently or address this with your driver. Traffic Commissioners also expect roller brake testing to be completed quarterly plus at MOT, as a minimum. - Ensure the Driver Defect Reporting Regime is implemented properly.
Your driver is paid to undertake a walk around check of the vehicle for 10-15 minutes before driving begins, it is not a simple tick box exercise. This can be the difference between your customer’s goods being delivered on time vs an expensive penalty, prohibition recorded, time off the road and an angry customer. Drivers’ walkaround checks should be effectively audited. A bonus system or disciplinary consequences can be effective ways of instilling the right culture amongst drivers. There are electronic check systems on the market which can make your systems more robust if used correctly. - Regular driver training and tool box talks
Make time to engage drivers and keep them up to date with internal changes or regulatory changes. Chose relevant topics for recaps led by the Transport Managers. Keep records of informal training along with CPC modules. - Compliance Audit
Even the most experienced Operator can benefit from an independent objective compliance audit. This will serve to confirm that the systems in place are effective and that drivers/transport managers are doing the job they are paid to do. If there are areas which require improvement, it is much better to be picked up in this way than by a DVSA officer arriving at the Operating Centre. - Operator Training
It is advisable for Operator’s to attend specific Operator Licence Awareness Training every few years to keep abreast of change and to remind themselves of their duties and obligations. Even in set ups where there is a separate Transport Manager, it is empowering for an Operator to be able to properly oversee and assess the work done by the Transport Manager.
If you need help obtaining and retaining your operator’s licence employing expert transport solicitors will help make the process much smoother. Contact Anton Balkitis or Laura Newton at Rothera Sharp Solicitors on 0115 9100600. Or for further information see their dedicated website www.keepmeontheroad.co.uk
