Operators using Section 19 and Section 22 permits have been urged not to pursue the recently introduced short distance exemptions from O-Licensing requirements
TAS Partnership Director John Taylor (pictured) says that instead, they should not abandon the idea that they are working non-commercially. If any changes are required to work non-commercially, they “should identify how they can continue to meet [that exemption],” he adds.
The definition of non-commercial is under scrutiny at a Judicial Review brought by the Bus and Coach Association (BCA) that is being heard this week. The BCA argues that when money changes hands the work is commercial, and the operator requires an O-Licence.
The short distance exemptions would override arguments about non-commercial use. However, its 10-mile limits except for some occasional services are viewed as insufficient by some operators.
