Public Inquiry Preparation & Assistance

---

If you have received a Public Inquiry hearing letter it is important that you act immediately. At a Public Inquiry there is a considerable possibility of punishment against the operator including revocation of the Operator Licence. The best chance of avoiding punishment is to address the shortcomings and failings of your compliance ahead of the hearing. 

We will:

> carry out a full intense audit of the operation to determine the current compliance status and create a plan to rectify any shortcomings or failings.

> assist with the required improvements of processes.

> assist with compiling all documentation requested by the Traffic Commissioner ahead of the hearing date.

> attend the Public Inquiry to provide assistance to the operator

> we have experience in assisting operators to make significant improvements ahead of a Public Inquiry hearing that has led to more favourable action from the Traffic Commissioner.

> we can provide 'before' and 'after' audit reports for the Traffic Commissioner to demonstrate improvements that have been made ahead of the hearing.

> we are able to attend the Public Inquiry and assist the operator in explaining new and improved processes and demonstrate with paperwork.

Our complete support packages are designed to aid transport operators, throughout their entire operations. 

Our ad-hoc on-site and remote support services offer additional, professional resource to ensure you are operating safely, legally and in compliance with your licence. 

You’ll also benefit from having an independent point of view to allay niggling doubts, provide a sense check or answer questions. 

We will: 

> provide remote support to your operation via telephone and email.

> provide required commitment, skill, knowledge and experience to restricted licence holders (long term) and Standard licence holders during a period without a nominated Transport Manager (short term)

> visit site to assist with day to day operations, assisting with any requirements and implementing good practice

> liaise with your maintenance providers to assist with any issues including paperwork

>  review your systems and provide improvements

>  assist with DVSA visits and desk based assessments

> assist with prohibition management including investigation and notification to the Traffic Commissioner.

> We are flexible in our approach and will always try to find the best solution for your operation to achieve the highest standards of compliance

> We offer ad-hoc services to suit smaller budgets and support packages for larger operations that require contracted assistance on a consistent basis.

> We provide site visit reports following all site visits that the operator can use to demonstrate compliance and improvement.

Investment in the knowledge, skill and expertise of drivers, traffic office staff and management is prudent in achieving a high standard of compliance. It is essential to have a continuous professional development (CPD) plan in place for all key staff.

We offer the following training courses:

> Driver CPC (7 hour JAUPT approved course) - course information and outline to be provided upon request.

> OLAT (Operator Licence Awareness Training) - this course is aimed at supervisors and managers that do not hold a CPC qualification. The 7 hour course is also JAUPT approved and will contribute towards Driver CPC qualification.

> 2-day Transport Management Refresher course - this course is recommended by the Traffic Commissioner to be completed every 5 years by CPC qualification holders.

> TM CPC course & examinations - this package contains learner manual, 10 days intense training, examination preparation and the two examinations.

(All training is provided by Hurst Transport Services Ltd via training partnerships with registered JAUPT and CILT training providers)

> Bespoke training sessions in respect of drivers hours, working time directive, defect reporting, vehicle daily checks, paperwork management, tachograph analysis and driver infringement management.

> we have extensive experience of delivering Driver CPC including a high number of different courses within the industry,

> the OLAT and TM CPC Refresher courses are approved by the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) and are accepted by the Traffic Commissioner.

> all courses can be carried out at our training premises or in-house at the operators premises.

> training attendance certificates are provided for all bespoke Company training sessions.

It is important operators support their compliance processes with effective tools and equipment to allow the operation to achieve high standard of compliance.

Through our partners we are able to offer:

> AssetGo - a fully customisable digital web based system and application tool that allows daily checks to be completed and defects reported. The data is instantaneously available to review and action once completed. The daily checklists are fully customisable meaning there is no asset that cannot be checked.

> Clockwatcher Elite - a web based tachograph analysis software.

> Consumables 

- including defect reporting pads 

- defect rectification pads 

- goods vehicle inspection pads 

- trailer inspection pads

- digital tachograph rolls

- maintenance planners

- Many more

> we offer a trial period of the AssetGo software and assist with the administration to setup.

> we provide introductory training on both AssetGo and Clockwatcher Elite systems

> we assist with creating users and vehicles

> we assist with any administration or technical issues or problems.

Our audit service aims to identify safety, legal and other compliance issues in your transport operations, giving you a full view of areas for improvement and areas of risk. Our audits include a review of all drivers’ records and tachographs, vehicle maintenance checks, compliance with the Operator’s Licence conditions and is followed up with a full report and our recommendations.

Smaller in-depth reports focussing on one particular area are also available to assist with any recent failings or performance management plans for current staff. 

We will: 

> attend the correspondence address of the Operator Licence and carry out a full audit on topics including compliance and management controls, management of drivers’ hours, records and training, vehicle maintenance and inspection, procedures in the event of a road traffic collision, arrangements for hiring short term vehicles, health and safety and criminal offences 

> visit all of your operating centres to conduct audits on the topics above 

> provide a thorough, in-depth report of our audit findings 

> provide detailed recommendations to allow you to implement necessary changes

> We have extensive experience of conducting audits for operations of all sizes.

> We will audit multiple aspects of your Operator Licence compliance requirements.

> We can undertake full audits of you Operator Licence(s) including visits to all of your depots Nationwide.

> Our audits are accepted by the Traffic Commissioner and Transport Solicitors / Barristers.

Hurst Transport Services can assist both prospective and existing operators obtain or make variations to an Operator Licence (or multiple licences). The cost - in terms of finance, time and resources - of applying for or varying an ‘O’ Licence need not be significant. Hurst Transport Services can provide professional support to applicants to help get things right first time. 

We will: 

> meet with you to establish your requirements 

> complete the correct paperwork or online application 

> help you source a Transport Manager, if required 

> arrange for your advertisement in the correct publication 

> collect the publication on the day of publishing 

> gather any evidence that may be required (finance,  landlord permissions, etc). 

> send all requested documents to Traffic Commissioner 

> be available for advice throughout the process 

> We have proven experience at completing initial applications and variations. 

> The cost of the advertisement is often more than the  application so mistakes are costly. 

> The application process can be time consuming and lead to  periods of downtime whilst waiting for the application to be  decided, if not completed correctly.