Traffic Commissioner’s Annual Report 2024/25: “Don’t Look Back in Anger”
Time has flown by and once again we find that the schools are back after the long summer break and the Office of the Traffic Commissioner has issued its annual report to the Secretary of State, providing a review of the year…
by Emma Pelly
An Apple a Day to Keep the DVLA Away – A review of the DVLA’s Rules on Health Checks for Professional Drivers
There has been some discussion in the industry trade press recently that has highlighted proposed changes to how the disease of diabetes is monitored in professional drivers by the DVLA. One article in RouteOne Magazine stated that…
by Emma Pelly
Light Goods – Heavyweight Industry: The DVSA’s New LGV Strategy
While relatively small in overall physical size light goods vehicles (LGVs) are now a large part of the UK road transport industry. There are currently estimated to be over 5.1 million light goods vehicles on UK roads today…
by Emma Pelly
Employment Law Update – A tale like Scylla & Charybdis
Operators currently face their own real time nightmare in the form of a modern day version of the Greek mythological tale of Scylla and Charybdis (where sailors faced a narrow strait through which they had to pass which had a monster on one side and a whirlpool on the other!)…
by Emma Pelly
Labour Government – Employment Rights Bill – What Will It Mean for Transport Businesses?
In October 2024 the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner set out her intention to reform the employment rights held by employees in the UK. In a press release issued at the time she is quoted a saying…
by Emma Pelly
Revisiting the DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness
In April 2025 the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued the latest edition of its Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.
by Emma Pelly
The Wheels on the Bus go Round & Round….but how do they Stop?
At the tail end of 2024 a Public Inquiry was held in front of Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney where the subject of brake maintenance practices was called into question…
by Emma Pelly
Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme for Commercial Vehicle Workshops is Launched
One of the key tenants of running a commercial vehicle operation, whether ‘HGV’ or ‘PSV’ is that the maintenance of the vehicles is paramount. For some operators this will mean having their own maintenance facilities and teams to look after their fleet of vehicles in house, but the majority of operators in the UK are reliant on 3rd Party maintenance providers…
by Emma Pelly
Changes to Brake Safety Inspections for Commercial Vehicles – April 2025
In April 2025 the brake testing regime guidance will change. Roller Brake Tests, that have been mandatory for years, will be joined by an Electronic Break Performance Monitoring System or EBPMS…
by Emma Pelly
Case Study – Public Inquiry for Gillbard Plant, Autumn 2024
Gillbard Plant was called to Public Inquiry in Autumn 2024. The hearing made headlines in the transport press due to the element of “DVSA Poacher turned Game-keeper” of Gillbard Plant’s Transport Manager, Mr. Anthony Brayley-Willmetts, a former DVSA (VOSA) examiner turned transport consultant…
by Emma Pelly
DVSA Load Security Guidance – Updated December 2024
When carrying loads on lorries every HGV Operator knows how important it is to ensure that goods are secured safely so that they arrive at their destination in good condition and that they do not cause any damage or danger on the UK’s roads during the process of transporting them…
by Emma Pelly
New Rules for Vehicle Operators and Drivers Carrying Out International Journeys
The Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency recently issued a bulletin regarding the new rules that vehicle operators and their drivers will have to comply with if travelling on international journeys…
by Emma Pelly