Traffic
Commissioners have responsibility in their traffic area for:
·
The
licensing of the operators of goods vehicles and of buses and coaches (public
service vehicles or PSVs);
·
The
registration of local bus services;
·
Granting
vocational licences and acting against drivers of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
and PSVs;
·
The
environmental suitability of centres designated as parking locations for HGVs.
Traffic Commissioners promote:
·
The
safe operation of goods vehicles and PSVs;
·
Fair
competition between operators;
·
Reducing
the burden on compliant operators;
·
The
safe and responsible conduct of HGV and PSV drivers.
The Traffic Commissioners’ main functions can be summarised
as follows:
·
To
ensure that people operating goods vehicles and PSVs are reputable (fit),
competent, and adequately funded;
·
To
encourage all operators to adopt robust systems, so that there is fair
competition and that the operation of goods and public service vehicles is
safe;
·
To
consider on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport the fitness of
drivers or those applying for public service vehicle or heavy goods vehicle
driving licences based on their conduct;
·
To
consider, and where appropriate impose traffic regulation conditions to prevent
danger to road users and/or reduce traffic congestion and/or pollution;
·
To
ensure public inquiry proceedings are fair and free from any unjustified
interference or bias;
·
To
engage with stakeholders - listening to industry, meeting with local
authorities, trade organisations, passenger groups and operators and presenting
seminars.
The Traffic Commissioners’ role is important to both
commercial vehicle operators and the wider public. Commissioners operate in an
exposed and sensitive position. They must maintain the confidence of a wide
range of stakeholders and ensure personal integrity as well as sound judgement
and impartiality in all aspects of decision-making. Traffic Commissioners must
also have regard to helping the growth of the economy through the Regulators
Code and The Economic Growth (Regulatory Functions) Order 2017.
Additional guidance
detailing how various administrative matters shall be handled by the Traffic
Commissioners can be found here.
In the performance of their duties Traffic
Commissioners seek to act in accordance with the standards expected of those in
public life, namely proportionality; accountability; consistency; transparency
and targeting. Those values underpin their approach as modern regulators.
Traffic Commissioners are subject to regular appraisals and peer review in line
with the competencies identified for equivalent members of the tribunal
judiciary.
Scotland
In addition to the duties of a Traffic Commissioner in
England and Wales, a person appointed as Traffic Commissioner or a Deputy
Traffic Commissioner for Scotland will also conduct hearings under The Civic
Government (Scotland) Act 1982 in respect of taxi fare scale appeals. The
Traffic Commissioner and Deputy Traffic Commissioners for Scotland also have
functions and powers under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 in relation to bus
services within Scotland.
Note: If a candidate holds or acquires a financial
interest in a transport undertaking which carries passengers or goods by road
or rail within Great Britain it is required that they within four weeks give
notice of that acquisition in writing to the Secretary of State specifying the
interest you have acquired. This is required in accordance with paragraph 2 of
schedule 2 to the Passenger Vehicles Act 1981.
