Traffic Commissioner consultation opened

Stakeholders are being encouraged to have their say as part of a review of the Traffic Commissioner function launched by the Government on 11 Wednesday August. The consultation period closes at 11:45pm on 8 September 2021. The recommendations of the review are expected to be published next spring.

The eight Traffic Commissioners (TC)have responsibility in their region or county for the licensing and regulation of those who operate heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches, and the registration of local bus services. They are assisted in this work by 11 deputy Traffic Commissioners, who preside over a number of public inquiries.

The review sets out to answer the following seven questions:

• whether the functions that are provided by and in the name of TCs are required;
• whether the TCs are carrying out their functions effectively and efficiently;
• whether the support provided by DVSA and, specifically, OTC allows TCs to do so;
• whether the current OTC DVSA-provided support and TC arrangements best support the delivery of these functions;
• whether the OTC support continues to be provided by DVSA, or would be more effective if separated, given DVSA’s enforcement functions and the TC role as independent regulators;
• the effectiveness and appropriateness of existing governance, accountability, assurance, and intelligence sharing arrangements;
• and the appropriateness of delivering additional functions

Transport Minister, Baroness Vere said: “Traffic Commissioners play a key role in road safety, including helping ensure that people who operate HGVs and coaches are reputable, that there is fair competition between operators and that public inquiry proceedings are fair.”

Further details relating to the consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-traffic-commissioners-for-great-britain-function/traffic-commissioner-function