Coach & Bus Transport Law
Coach and bus transport industry operators are subject to a vast array of different rules and regulations in the day-to-day running of their businesses.
From large bus and coach transport companies running all types of bus routes, registered services, commuter services, home to school transport including special needs, private hire and ambulance services, to large and small PSV, private hire and hackney carriage businesses, the world of the road transport operator is fraught with different challenges and complying with the law is one that operators must address in order to stay in business.
Pellys Transport & Regulatory Law solicitors have a wealth of experience of acting for the transportation industry, across the PSV passenger (coach and bus) sector, including advising on best practice and offering compliance “health checks” to ensure your transport business is in tip top shape, as well as representing companies in the criminal courts and at Public Inquiry.
Contact us to discuss the ways in which our transport lawyers can help ensure that your business is compliant with the transport and regulatory laws impacting your business. Call us now on 01279 818280 where our transport lawyers are waiting to help.
Company & Commercial Law
Benefit from our specialist legal knowledge and experience.
Contractual Disputes
We can assist with the legal challenges of a dispute.
Dealing with Commercial Disputes
We advise and act for transport operators across a range of commercial disputes.
DVSA or Police Investigation
We offer the legal and practical assistance that operators need.
How Up To Date Are Your Terms And Conditions?
We can provide your business with PSV terms of carriage to suit your specific needs.
Licence Applications
Advice and assistance about the PSV road transport licensing regime.
Maintenance Systems
We have many years experience of setting up effective systems for operators.
Operator Compliance
Help and advice with the DVSA’s Operator Compliance Risk Scoring regime.
Operator's Licence Objections
Effective handling of complaints and objections about the location of your operations.
PSV Regulatory Law
We handle and advise our clients on all aspects of PSV regulatory law.
Road Traffic Law and Criminal Offences
We advise and represent operators and their drivers in respect of a wide range of road traffic offences and criminal matters.
Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiry
We prepare operators for Public Inquiries as well as representing them at the hearing.
Working Time Regulations
As a PSV coach and bus operator, you must follow the Working Time Directive & PSV drivers hours rules.
Company Sale or Acquisition
We offer due diligence and other specialist legal services when buying or selling a transport business.
Corporate Manslaughter
With an inherent risk of road traffic accidents for transport operators, we can help protect you if the worst happens.
Driver Licensing
We deal with all aspects of PSV driver licensing.
Health & Safety
We handle all of the legal aspects of health and safety compliance.
Illegal Immigration
A serious issue even for coach operators, but one that can be managed.
Loss of Repute / Director Disqualification
Protecting your company's and directors' position of good repute.
Operating Centres
Help and advice to ensure that your operating centre is legal.
Operator Health Checks
We provide operator health checks to measure the effectiveness of the systems that you operate.
Prosecutions for Serious Offences
We specialise in defending transport operators from prosecution in criminal proceedings.
Public Inquiries
We provide legal counsel and assistance to help you keep your business on the road.
Tachographs – Digital and Analogue
We provide advice to operators on operating both digital and analogue tachographs.
Tachographs
Ensuring regulatory compliance with the management of the hours of work.
Transport Operations
We have extensive experience in advising and representing PSV operators in all aspects of their operations.
Latest Coach & Bus Industry News and Insight
Traffic Commissioner Highlights Abuse of Section-19 Permits
In a Section 19 Public Inquiry hearing heard last year (2023) the Traffic Commissioner highlighted again the importance of permit operators ensuring that their vehicles allow passengers and other road users to be safe.
by Emma PellyAre you Up To Date with the Guidance on Right to Work Checks?
In August 2023, it was announced that from 2024 the penalties imposed on employers who are found to be employing people who do not have a right to work in the UK would be tripled, in an effort to curb this “black-market” practice and raise the disincentives for people to come to the UK to live and work illegally.
by Emma PellyDriver CPC Reform: Department For Transport Publishes Consultation Findings
In early 2022 the Department of Transport (DfT) launched a consultation into the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) regime, following a review undertaken in late 2021 on the driver shortage issues.
by Emma PellyGovernment Publishes Review into Traffic Commissioner Function
During 2021 and 2022 the government ran a review into the Traffic Commissioner Function in the UK. The report into this review was published at the end of May 2023.
by Emma PellyPSVAR Review – Call for Evidence
Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Richard Holden has urged members of the coach and bus industry to respond to the government’s call for evidence (CfE) in a key review on the Public Services Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) which were introduced in 2000.
by Emma PellySeat Belt Buckle Guards – How Safe Are They?
On 9th February 2023 the DVSA issued a “Daily Digest Bulletin” on the subject of seat belt buckle guards. A buckle guard is a component that is added to the standard seat belt equipment of a vehicle, in order to prevent the seat belt being released whilst the vehicle is in motion.
by Emma PellyFrequently Asked Question: I run a PSV under a Section 19 Permit – does it need to be PSVAR Compliant and do my Drivers need Driver CPC?
There is a specific exemption within the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) which applies to vehicles used in accordance with Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985; in other words, those operated under a Section 19 permit: so PSVAR does not apply in these cases.
by Emma PellyDVSA Issue Revised Guidance on the Categorisation of Defects on Vehicles
This revision gives a total of 29 revisions to the various checks that DVSA officers would be expected to carry out during any roadside checks they undertake.
by Emma PellyDVLA – Accelerating Medical Fitness Applications
It is to be hoped that professional drivers will no longer have to endure weeks of waiting for their driving licences to be processed, as the Government has implemented changes to the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA) to allow a wider range of health care professionals to approve medical examinations.
by Emma PellyOffice of Traffic Commissioners Announces End to GV81 Paper Applications for Major Applications
The increasing digitisation of the working world has reached the Office of the Traffic Commissioner’s applications process, with the induction of digital applications about to be a requirement for all Major applications from 1st August 2022 onwards.
by Emma PellyChanges to Sentencing Rules for Dangerous Driving Offences – Life Sentences from 28th June 2022
Road traffic accidents can be difficult, traumatic experiences for all involved, especially if there is an accusation that the driver causing the accident was “under the influence” when the accident happened.
by Emma PellyPSVAR – Accessibility for Coaches – Further Extension to Vehicle Exemptions
The Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000, to give “PSVAR” its full name is a piece of legislation which prescribes accessibility requirements for public service vehicles, i.e coaches and buses etc.
by Emma Pelly"A brilliant, hard-working team who go over and above for the client. They are rightly recognised to be one of the best transport practices in the country. They are an exceptional specialist firm who punch way over their weight. They have an excellent reputation."
"An established practice with recognised strength in representing haulier and passenger clients on an array of regulatory proceedings. An impressive practice advising goods and passenger vehicle operators on the full range of road regulatory matters."
"They know the field backwards and would be perfectly capable of running a transport business."
"The firm has an incredible knowledge of transport and associated regulations. They are extremely knowledgeable."
"They have very good client-care skills. They really go the extra mile for the client and leave no stone unturned and they always deliver well and on time. My overall impression of the Pellys team is one of thoroughness in everything they do."
"They react very quickly, we are always kept up to speed on what is going on and they are very responsive. If I need something at short notice and ring out of hours I get a very quick response. They’re extremely easy to get hold of and professional."