Thousands of small businesses with company vehicles are risking heavy fines and reputational damage by failing to comply with driver and vehicle licensing and safety standards.
Companies, like building firms and scaffolders, are leaving themselves vulnerable to prosecution because they wrongly assume transport operator licences don’t apply to them.
Do you use company vehicles to transport materials between jobs?
If so, and your vehicle (including materials you’re carrying) weighs more than 3.5 tonnes, you need a Restricted Operator’s Licence from the DVSA.
If your business regularly transports materials needed to complete a job, it’s vital you understand the rules and protect yourself against fines of up to £5,000 and even imprisonment.
Your insurance may be invalid if you don’t have the right licence
Don’t wait until the worst happens to find out your vehicle insurance is not valid because you don’t have an Operator’s Licence – the legal repercussions could have a catastrophic impact on your business.
How to check whether you need an Operator’s Licence
The Government’s Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing Guide explains what type of licence your business may need.
It’s a complicated topic with a high price to pay if you get it wrong.
That’s why a growing number of companies are using qualified transport management consultants to carry out the initial research and apply to the DVSA for licences on their behalf.
What does having a Restricted Operator’s Licence mean for your business?
The over-riding aim of the Government’s transport management licensing policy is to improve health and safety on our roads.
For your business, that means ensuring all company vehicles are well-maintained and that any employee who drives your vehicles is fit, legally entitled to drive and adheres to driver safety regulations.
Keeping your Operator’s Licence means continuous monitoring and record-keeping
Successfully applying for a Restricted Operator’s Licence is only the starting point for staying legal on the road.
You must keep detailed records of your vehicle maintenance programme and drivers’ hours to comply with Health and Safety legislation.
Do I need to employ a Transport Manager?
You’re not required to employ a full-time transport manager if you only need a Restricted Operator’s Licence, rather than the full Standard Operator’s Licence.
However, you must appoint someone to take legal responsibility for your vehicle maintenance and transport management processes and procedures.
This includes monitoring drivers’ hours and making regular driver licence checks.
A professional transport management consultant could be the cost-effective answer
More and more small businesses are realising they need an Operator’s Licence to continue running their business and more and more company bosses are hiring external professionals to help them.
With no overheads to consider and expert knowledge of the rules and regulations, transport management consultants can help your business stay on the right side of the law at a fraction of the costs involved with an employed member of staff.
How JCS Transport Consultancy can keep your business compliant
JCS Transport Consultancy can act as the Transport Manager for companies requiring a Restricted Operator’s Licence to transport materials and tools between jobs.
We can also train you or a member of your team to provide the skills and knowledge needed to become a competent Transport Manager for your business.
We create made-to-measure transport management policies and procedures for a variety of industries and provide 24-hour support to the companies we work with.
Experience and knowledge you can trust
JCS Transport Consultancy are a Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Approved Pre-Audit Provider.
Director Jamie Campbell CMILT, is a Qualified FORS Auditor and Practitioner and has conducted over 300 FORS audits on behalf of the prestigious Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme.
Call today for an informal chat
JCS Transport Consultancy has developed an excellent reputation for its friendly, professional services and straight-forward approach.
We work with your business to ensure the policies and procedures we help you to introduce have real benefits for your company’s bottom line, as well as providing invaluable peace of mind and compliance protection.
Call 0333 987 4657
Email enquiries@jcstransport.co.uk
FORS Silver and Gold Accreditation
As well as making sure your business achieves and maintains its FORS accreditation at Bronze Level, we can also help you achieve the prestigious Silver and Gold FORS status.
These awards recognise the very best standards and practice in road transport management and put you one step ahead of the competition.
Start your journey to FORS accreditation
Contact us today for a free, no obligation quote and take the first step towards FORS accreditation.
