The Traffic Commissioners have rejected calls for the mandatory auditing of firms before an O-Licence is issued.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) argues that all operators should be audited to raise the bar in the interests of road safety. The RHA suggests that an audit system would be overseen by the DVSA.
In a statement the TCs said: “We do not support the introduction of mandatory auditing for all licence applicants, as they cannot be assured as to the quality and integrity of some audit services. 


“All applicants and operators declare that they will uphold vehicle, driver and licence standards.
“It is the responsibility of every O-Licence holder to ensure their fleet, drivers and business comply with those undertakings and conditions throughout the life of the licence.
“The Upper Tribunal has reinforced the important principle of the trust in the relationship between an operator and the TC, noting that TCs must be able to trust those to whom they grant O-Licences to operate in compliance with the regulatory regime.”
