Keeping vehicles roadworthy, adhering to the drivers’ hours rules and complying with licence undertakings are “non-negotiable” commitments of operator licensing, says Joan Aitken, Traffic Commissioner (TC) for Scotland.
The TC says operators must achieve day-in day-out compliance with safety standards.
Miss Aitken added that operators should embrace the regulations positively: “They’ve been put in place to keep the roads safe and promote fair competition.
“Complying with the rules is not a selection box exercise,” she warned at Public Inquiry, into a haulier, which subsequently had its licence cut.
She said that operators can only survive if they have an O-Licence. Vehicle, driver and licensing standards should be “continually met,” otherwise the licence is at risk.
