A recent Traffic Commissioner decision was followed up with a press release this week, as a stark warning to goods vehicle operators: failing to maintain control of your operation—even temporarily—can result in your operator licence being revoked.
Why Operator Licence Compliance Matters
The UK operator licensing system is deliberately strict due to the serious risks that poorly maintained vehicles pose to road safety.
When you are granted an operator licence, you are not just meeting a one-off requirement—you are committing to ongoing compliance.
The old adage “Ignorance is not a defence”, is frequently cited in Public Inquiries, which has been confirmed in numerous appeals to include the Upper Tribunal case of MGM Haulage and Recycling.
What this means in practice is that operators must remain up to date with guidance and best practices as they emerge in the public domain.
The Case: Operator Out of the Country and Loss of Control
In February 2026, the Traffic Commissioner for the West Midlands Miles Dorrington considered the case of a restricted licence holder operating two goods vehicles (Sukhvinder Singh).
A DVSA investigation uncovered serious compliance failures, including:
- PMI intervals of up to 208 days for an older vehicle
- A 100% MOT initial failure rate
- Inadequate brake testing practices
- A poor driver defect reporting system
- No evidence of training or compliance knowledge
The most serious issue was this:
- The operator had been out of the country for several months, yet the vehicle continued operating without proper supervision.
Crucially, the operator argued that the failures were due to lack of knowledge, not deliberate wrongdoing. This argument was rejected and the operator’s licence was revoked.
The only positive element of the decision was that the operator was not disqualified, which means they may reapply in the future. The full decision can be viewed here.
Key Lesson: There must always be proper supervision of your operation, as long as the vehicle is in use.
Whether you are on an extended break, suffering from ill health or just experiencing some personal difficulties, you must ensure that your operation is properly supervised in your absence.
Common mistakes we see as Transport Solicitors
In our work with goods vehicle and PSV operators, we frequently see:
- Delegating compliance without proper oversight
- Not keeping up with DVSA or Traffic Commissioner guidance
- Poor systems for vehicle maintenance and defect reporting
- Lack of training or refresher knowledge
These issues often only come to light during a DVSA investigation or Public Inquiry—when it can be too late to prevent regulatory action.
How Goods Vehicle Operators can avoid licence revocation
1. Stay Up to Date with Compliance Requirements
Make sure you regularly review:
- DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness
- Senior Traffic Commissioner’s Statutory Document
- Industry updates from gov.uk with DVSA and Office of the Traffic Commissioner
2. Invest in Training
- Attend OLAT or Transport Manager training
- Keep your knowledge current with regular refreshers
- Make sure your drivers are reminded of their obligations regularly
3. Maintain Proper Oversight
Even if you delegate tasks, you should have:
- Regular management meetings with compliance KPIs
- External audits at least annually
- Internal auditing of PMIs and tachograph analysis
If you are away for a significant period of time, update the Traffic Commissioner and consider whether you need to pause operations or find a replacement.
For shorter periods of time:
- Ensure a competent and qualified person is in place;
- Put clear systems and reporting structures in place;
- Maintain visibility over compliance
Facing a DVSA Investigation or Public Inquiry?
If your business is under investigation or at risk of a Public Inquiry, early advice can make a critical difference.
Our specialist transport solicitors advise PSV and Goods Vehicle operators across the UK on:
- DVSA Investigations
- Traffic Commissioner Hearings
- Operator licence applications and compliance
📞 Call us today on 01908 464480 for expert advice
