Objections to operator licences

Sometimes an operator will find that that individual or public body opposes its application for an operator’s licence or the addition of variation of an operating centre already on an operators licence.

The Office of the Traffic Commissioner has published a guide on the subject which can be found here.

Public bodies that can object to a licence application include:

• local and planning authorities

• the police

• some trade associations and trade unions

When a public body can object

A public body can object to a licence about the:

• professional competence of the operator or its transport manager

• operator’s finances

• operator’s reputation or fitness to hold a licence

• operator’s arrangements for vehicle maintenance and drivers’ hours

• operating centre’s environmental standards and general conditions

Objections must be put in writing to the traffic commissioner within 21 days of a licence application being made public.

Common objections include those in relation to noise and road safety at the point of access to the public road.

Objections by individuals (representations)

If a vehicle operator wants to add an operating centre to a licence or make changes to an existing centre, owners and residents of land nearby can object. This is called a ‘representation’.

However, representations must be about environmental issues, such as concern over noise, and only if they are going to affect the owner or resident’s ‘use or enjoyment’ of the land.

Common representations include in relation to noise of vehicles accessing the site, their time and frequency of operation and on site movements especially those in reverse (due to reversing bleepers).

Community and Stakeholder Engagement:

Lack of engagement with local communities and stakeholders on environmental matters can lead to objections. Engagement can also resolve them once made. Traffic Commissioners will often look for evidence that operators have attempted to come to agreement with objectors and representors.