I was approached with this question, “Can Operators in Northampton bring someone in to manage all aspects of their Operators Licence in HGV or PSV?” a couple of days ago when i was speaking to a group of clients in Northampton and although the short answer is, ‘Yes’ it does come with an important caveat.
As an operator in Northmpton who holds an Operators Licence, whether thats in HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicles) or PSV (Passenger Service Vehicles), it is very wise to bring in experts in to help manage the compliance side of your O-Licence, however, the ultimate legal responsibility always lies with the operator — the person or business holding the licence.
When you, the Operator, apply for or hold an Operator’s Licence (O-Licence), you agree to a series of legal undertakings, which essentially are a list of promises made to the Traffic Commissioner to operate safely, lawfully, and responsibly.
These undertakings cover key areas such as:
-
Keeping vehicles in a fit and serviceable condition
-
Ensuring regular safety inspections and maintenance
-
Having proper processes and systems in place for driver defect reporting
-
Ensuring drivers comply with hours and tachograph rules
-
Keeping records for at least 15 months
-
Notifying the Traffic Commissioner of any significant changes
These obligations form the foundation of your licence — they’re what allow you to operate legally.
As an Operator, you can get professional help to manage the systems, records, and day-to-day compliance tasks linked to your licence.
For example:
-
A Transport Manager (TM) is essential if you hold a National/International Standard Operators Licence in HGV or PSV and can oversee vehicle maintenance, drivers’ hours, and safety systems.
-
A compliance consultant, like us at The Transport Consultancy can audit your systems, carry out inspections, and produce compliance reports. either monthly or quarterly.
-
The Transport Consultancy can help with tachograph analysis, driver training, and O-Licence administration.
Our Consultants play a vital role in keeping your operation compliant and reducing the risk of DVSA action or a Traffic Commissioner hearing.
But, even with all that support, the “buck stops with the operator.”
No one — not your Transport Manager, not your consultant, not your admin team — can take away your legal responsibility as the licence holder in Northampton or any city in the UK.
If things go wrong, it’s the operator who will:
-
Be called to a Public Inquiry,
-
Face potential licence revocation or curtailment, and
-
Be held accountable for failures in compliance.
This is why, we, at The Transport Consultancy treat compliance as a team effort and so do our clients, who are some of the most successful operators in Northamptonshire and beyond in both HGV and PSV.
Your Transport Consultancy, and your compliance partner, alongside your Transport Manager can:
-
Create systems and schedules,
-
Monitor performance,
-
Train your staff, and
-
Keep accurate records.
You, as the operator, must:
-
Follow the systems they set up,
-
Act promptly when issues are raised, and
-
Provide resources to maintain standards.
When both sides work together, compliance becomes a smooth part of daily operations — not a last-minute scramble before a DVSA visit.
So to answer the above question – yes — someone can look after all aspects of your O-Licence compliance, but only you can carry the licence itself. BUT, With the right professional support, that responsibility becomes far easier to manage — and your business runs more safely, efficiently, and confidently.
Get in touch with us today, The Transport Consultancy and book your no obligation discovery call to discover how we can wor in partnership with you to ensure your operations run smoothly, safely and compliant keeping DVSA, Traffic Commissioner and everyone else involved in your operations happy!