Goods Vehicles
Application for Operator’s licence
If you are thinking of applying for an operator’s licence, here is a pre-application checklist aimed to assist:
Operatoring Centre:
- Do you own your premises?
- Do you rent or is the site used with permission?
- Is it of a suitable size?
- Does it have suitable access?
- Does the site comply with environmental legislation?
Transport manager:
- Do you employ a transport manager?
- Are they CPC qualified? (Do they hold a Certificate of Professional Competence?)
- Are they of repute? (Exceptions may apply)
If your business involves the transportation of your own goods, you may not be legally required to employ a transport manager.
Financial Standing:
An application for a standard national or international licence currently costs £6,200 for the first licence, with subsequent applications charged at £3,400. You must ensure you have sufficient available capital and reserves in place.
Repute/Fitness:
- Are you, your Transport Manager, servants or agents of repute/fit to hold a licence?
- Are there any notifiable convictions?
- Has your business been formed from the result on another business ceasing to trade?
- Is your application as a result of changes to your operator services?
- You must inform your local Traffic Commissioner of any changes to your licence – failure to do so could result in prosecution.
- You must inform your local Traffic Commissioner of any changes to your licence or application – failure to do so could result in prosecution or refusal of the application.
There are 8 geographical areas covering the whole of the UK, If you are unsure of how to contact your local Traffic Commissioner’s office, Please click here.
Some exceptions may apply so if you’re unsure, please use our free CallBack facility and speak to one of our experts.
Prosecutions in the UK
We deal with a wide variety of prosecutions ranging from general motoring offences (e.g. speeding, using a mobile telephone whilst driving etc) to drivers’ hours’ offences and falsification of records
- Are you being investigated?
- Is there a possibility you might face prosecution for an offence?
- You MUST seek legal advice as soon as possible – Ideally before giving an interview under caution.!
- Have you received a summons or have you been formally charged with an offence?
- If so, you may need to seek good legal advice NOW.
If you are in any of these situations – ACT FAST – Use our CallBack service for a FREE initial consultation with one of our experts.
International Prosecutions
We have a range of reliable contacts in Europe and frequently assist clients whose vehicles have been stopped (and sometimes seized) in e.g. France, Spain etc. If you have been forced to pay a roadside deposit before the foreign authorities would release your vehicle but you consider there was no justification for such monies to be paid, please use our free Callback facility and speak to one of our experts.
Similarly, if you have paid a roadside deposit and received subsequent prosecution papers from the foreign authorities , do not delay in contacting us to seek legal advice. Failure to respond to foreign prosecution papers could result in your vehicle being targeted and/or seized by the foreign authorities next time your vehicles/drivers are in their country.
In some jurisdictions, it is important to make it clear that although you will pay the roadside deposit, you do not accept the allegation e.g. in Belgium.
VOSA
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) provides a range of licensing, testing and enforcement services with the aim of improving the roadworthiness standards of vehicles ensuring the compliance of operators and drivers, and supporting the independent Traffic Commissioners.
click the image above to be taken to their website
Public Inquiry
Have you recently received a letter from your local Traffic Commissioner’s office notifying you of a Public Inquiry? If so, you should seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity to ensure a satisfactory outcome. At Backhouse Jones, there are seven lawyers who specialise in representing operators appearing before the Traffic Commissioner. The key to a satisfactory outcome is to obtain sound legal advice from fully qualified professionals with a proven track record.
Concerned you may soon face a public inquiry?
Reasons for concern include:
- Recent unsatisfactory Maintenance or Tachograph investigation – were problems found?
- Have you had an outstanding application lodged for a long time?
- Have you recently been prosecuted?
- Have you had a recent environmental complaint?
- Have you received complaints from local residents regarding your application?
- Have you received complaints from local residents regarding your operation?
- Have you had a recent Health & Safety complaint?
- Have you any unresolved issues with HM Revenue & Customs?
- Have you recently declared yourself insolvent?
- Have you recently entered into administration?
These are all very legitimate reasons for concern and are common causes for Traffic Commissioner inquiries. If you feel that you may be affected by any of the above, we strongly recommend that you seek professional legal advice at the earliest available opportunity - Please use our CallBack service for a FREE initial consultation with one of our experts.
