How to train your drivers (for free)

05 May 2023

One of the most difficult issues for operators is helping drivers to understand how to apply the many complicated rules and regulations that come with the o-licence regime. Things that sound simple in theory can be hard to apply in real life. The Senior Traffic Commissioner’s guidance on vocational driver conduct contains a number of scenarios that can be used to help operators, transport managers and drivers understand the way the traffic commissioner is likely to approach their case. These are helpful and freely available resources to use in toolbox talks and internal training sessions.

The case examples go through a number of different scenarios including for applicants, current drivers, PSV drivers and those who have been disqualified. One example would be a driver in a bridge strike being called to a driver conduct hearing. The starting point is the revocation of the licence and a disqualification for six months. In the example scenario, the traffic commissioner establishes that the driver was unfamiliar with the route and that the weather/road conditions had distracted his attention. However, the incident occurred through carelessness and was avoidable. Taking the mitigation into account the traffic commissioner reduces the penalty to a two-month suspension of the vocational licence. This action reflects the risk and disruption to other road / rail users and the economic cost associated.

Even the best trained drivers can get into difficult situations and cause problems for operators. This is where the advice of a specialist transport solicitor is often needed, and the top-ranked lawyers at Backhouse Jones can also provide advice before things go wrong via tailored training courses. Backhouse Jones can also provide expert guidance on everything relating to your operator’s licence from application issues to full support and representation at a public inquiry. For more information on Backhouse Jones’ team of expert road transport solicitors click here, call 01254 828 300, or email regulatory@backhouses.co.uk.

The guidance and scenarios can be found here.