Introduction to Operator Licensing

Scott is recognised nationally as a market leading specialist in the licensing and regulation of Commercial Road Transport Operators. His expertise covers the haulage, coach and bus sectors and includes:

• Public Inquiry, Preliminary Hearings and Driver Conduct Hearings before the Traffic Commissioner in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Appeals against Traffic Commissioner decisions to the Upper Tribunal.
• Applications for new goods vehicle and passenger vehicle Operator’s Licences and variations to existing Operator’s Licences
• Advice and representation in connection with DVSA, Police, Trading Standards, Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive, HMRC and UK Border Force investigations relating to the use of commercial vehicles.
• Restructuring of transport businesses in connection with acquisitions or insolvency proceedings
• Bus reliability and punctuality investigations
• Pro-active advice and training in respect of vehicle maintenance, drivers’ hours and driver management compliance systems for the purposes of the Operator’s Licence undertakings.

Transport is in Scott’s DNA, as prior to becoming a Solicitor, Scott worked in the logistics sector including time at TNT Express (now FedEx) in both operational and legal roles. This has given him a real insight into the needs of a transport business from the inside.

Scott qualified with a boutique transport law firm in 2010 and has represented businesses that operate commercial vehicles from all sectors including major UK-wide bus companies, waste operations and retail hauliers in hearings before the regulator as well as providing proactive advice.

Scott is a regular speaker at industry events and contributes to the trade press.