This case which has just been heard by The Supreme Court will decide and hopefully clarify some of the issues around the status of 3rd-party contractors and whether they are contractors or whether they are workers and as such entitled to statutory benefits (including the minimum wage).
Uber's case is that the drivers are independent, 3rd-party contractors and not workers. The drivers are arguing that they are workers and as such are covered by the Employment Rights Act 1996, the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 and the Working Time Regulations 1998. Accordingly they claim that they should have been entitled to the minimum wage, paid leave and other legal protections that workers benefit from in the UK.
To watch the proceedings at The Supreme Court, click here and go to the bottom of the page where there is a link to enable you to watch the hearing.
The ruling in this matter is expected to have implications for the Transport industry and the use of 3rd-party contractor drivers.

More News and Insight

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Road Haulage Association Members and DVSA Leadership Work Shadow Each Other!
To help highlight the Road Haulage Association’s “National Lorry Week” which this year was between 4th and 8th November 2024, the Road Haulage Association and the DVSA’s Leadership team decided to spend some time work shadowing each other….

2024 Update to Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness (GTMR)
The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness is the Driver & Vehicle Standard Agency’s (DVSA) standard produced in collaboration with key industry stake holders which explains the responsibilities and systems involved in maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy….

New Driver CPC Reforms to be in Force from 3rd December 2024
Following a very lengthy consultation period on this matter launched in early 2023, Parliament finally debated the “Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) (Amendment) Regulations 2024” on Tuesday 29th October 2024…

When Sat Nav’s Lead Lorries Astray!
Lorries getting into trouble and causing chaos in the small country roads of Great Britain have been making headlines again. Whilst a lot of this content is amusing and no doubt is a winner with internet audiences there is a very serious side to these incidents…

Traffic Commissioners 2023-2024 Report – the Highlights & the Lowlights of the Year
In early October the Traffic Commissioners of Great Britain published their annual report. The report encompasses the purpose of the individual Traffic Commissioners who are independent regulators for the goods vehicle and public service vehicle industries and their professional drivers…