Your HGV Operator Licence is one of the most valuable assets your business has. But when did you last actually review it?
For many operators, the answer is when they added a vehicle, changed an operating centre or received correspondence from DVSA.
That isn't enough.
Your Operator Licence should be reviewed regularly to make sure the information held by the Traffic Commissioner remains accurate, and your compliance systems continue to support the promises you've made.
🎥 Watch this week's TALKTransport video: When Was the Last Time You Reviewed Your HGV Operator Licence?
What Should You Check on Your Operator Licence?
Start with the basics.
Check your authorised vehicle and trailer numbers. Are you operating within your authorised limits, and do you have sufficient margin if the business needs another vehicle?
Next, review your operating centres. Are you still operating vehicles from the locations authorised on your licence?
If you hold a Standard Licence, review your Transport Manager arrangements. Is the nominated Transport Manager still exercising continuous and effective management of the transport operation?
Your maintenance arrangements should also be checked. Is the maintenance provider shown within your arrangements still correct? Are your safety inspection intervals appropriate for how the vehicles are being used?
Then review any undertakings or conditions attached to your Operator Licence. Can you demonstrate that every one of them is being met?
An Operator Licence Review Goes Further
A proper monthly review shouldn't stop at the licence itself.
It is also an opportunity to consider:
- Financial standing
- Drivers' hours and tachograph management
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Driver licence checks
- Driver defect reporting
- Training records
- OCRS performance
- Maintenance contracts
- Policies and procedures
- Operating centre capacity
You should also ask one important question:
Has anything changed within the business that the Office of the Traffic Commissioner needs to know about?
Make It a Monthly Compliance Habit
A short monthly Operator Licence review can identify problems while they are still relatively easy to correct.
Don't wait for a DVSA investigation, Desk-Based Assessment or Traffic Commissioner hearing to discover that something hasn't been updated.
Your Operator Licence isn't a document to file away.
It's a live part of your compliance management system.
Need an Independent Review?
If you're concerned about your Operator Licence compliance or would like an independent review of your transport operation, speak to LDP Transport Consultancy.
We provide independent compliance audits and ongoing Operator Licence support for HGV operators throughout the UK.
Contact LDP Transport Consultancy today to arrange a compliance review.
