Traffic commissioners publish annual report

The traffic commissioners for Great Britain have published their annual report for 2020 to 2021.

The annual report provides updates on their strategic objectives and reflects on the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Richard Turfitt, senior traffic commissioner, said: “This report identifies some of the key achievements during a very difficult year for the transport industry.

“Traffic commissioners take responsibility for effective licensing and regulation of the commercial vehicle industries, but the success of any public service relies on the energy and willingness of those at the frontline.

“People are at the heart of the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) and the delivery of quality services to our stakeholders; it remains the mission of everyone in OTC to promote safe, fair, efficient, and reliable passenger and goods transport.

“It is right to record the exceptional efforts made during the last year.”

The annual report has been published as the Department for Transport (DfT) launches a review into the future of the country’s traffic commissioners.

The DfT explained that the review will consider whether the current role, delivery model, governance and funding arrangements are fit for the future, as well as current issues faced by the traffic commissioner function, such as the impact of the pandemic and increased workload.

Meanwhile, in their annual report, the traffic commissioners said it was an ‘appropriate time’ to reconsider the support it can give to industry, with a new set of objectives.

The areas discussed in the report include business recovery, legislative change, local bus services, better targeted regulation and helping compliant businesses.

It also reflects on driver shortages and the incoming legislation on LGVs between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has launched a consultation on proposals to help ease the chronic shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.

Last month, the Government unveiled a package of measures to tackle the HGV driver shortage, including proposals to allow drivers to take one test to drive both an articulated and rigid lorry.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has extended the temporary relaxation of drivers’ hours enforcement until October, due to the continued pressures on local and national supply chains.

The annual report also contains statistics describing the licensing and regulatory activities including, 14,080 operator licence applications and variations processed, 1,054 public inquiries determined, 78 preliminary hearings held, and 10,442 vocational driver cases closed.

Read the Traffic Commissioners annual report.