Disqualification for Transport Manager

Disqualification for transport manager lacking the skills to operate at an acceptable level of compliance
Significant and systemic failings down to lamentably low standard of professional competence
A recent case heard at public inquiry has resulted in an operator’s licence being suspended with the threat of revocation, if the operator doesn’t appoint a new transport manager in time.
Traffic Commissioner for Wales, Nick Jones, said the failings found during a DVSA investigation were “significant and systemic to the business”.
The regulator added that the firm’s transport manager lacked professional competence, and this urgently needed to be addressed on road safety grounds.
Several serious failings in the safety of the vehicles were found, while drivers had no clear understanding of how defects should be reported.
An obvious and serious defect in the form of a cracked brake disc was initially disputed by the transport manager. When issued with a prohibition for a damaged tyre, his response was “oh don’t worry, it’s got plenty of tread left”.
Mr Jones expressed his concerns at the apparent lack of appreciation of the issues raised during the DVSA investigation.
Serious inadequacies including lack of brake performance results, missing roadworthiness signatures and incomplete inspection records led the Commissioner to conclude the maintenance was “wholly inadequate”.
Mr Jones said he felt the transport manager was a honest individual but didn’t appear to have the skills or competence to undertake a proper transport manager role.
The operator was urged to consider whether to bring in a new transport manager or to close the business in an orderly fashion.