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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the sections below to find answers to common questions about each of our services. Click on a question to reveal the answer.
General FAQs
General questions about The Transport Consultancy and how we work.
We cover most of what HGV and PSV operators need on the compliance side — Operator Licence applications, compliance and DVSA audits, Traffic Commissioner audit support, driver management, tachograph and drivers' hours reviews, vehicle and defect management, Transport Manager services, and training. If you're not sure whether something falls under what we do, just ask.
We do — everything from new businesses applying for their first Operator Licence through to established operators wanting to tighten up their compliance systems. We tailor our support to the size and type of your operation rather than offering one fixed package.
Yes. Our audits and consultancy work give you an independent, objective view of your systems. That independence matters especially when an audit is being used for regulatory purposes — it means the findings get reported accurately, without any pressure to soften them.
We don't just check boxes against the regulations. We look at the systems you actually have in place, the records that prove they're working, and how well they hold up in day-to-day operation. Where we find gaps, we tell you clearly what's wrong and what to do about it — not just flag the problem and leave you to work out the fix.
Our work is built around the UK Operator Licensing and transport compliance framework, so that's our focus. We support operators across England, Scotland and Wales, and we'll agree the exact scope with you based on your operation.
Operator Licence Applications
Questions about applying for a new operator licence or making changes to an existing licence.
A straightforward application usually gets a decision within about 7 weeks, though it can take longer if information's missing, extra evidence is needed, or objections come in. We help get the application right from the outset — that's the biggest thing you can do to avoid delays.
It depends on your licence type and operation, but you'll typically need financial evidence, details of your operating centre, vehicle information, maintenance arrangements, Transport Manager details (where required), advertising evidence, and some background declarations. We'll talk you through exactly what applies to you and help you pull it together.
Yes — we'll look at why it was refused, work out what actually went wrong, and talk through your options. Depending on the situation, that might mean correcting the issues, putting together further evidence, or bringing in specialist legal advice.
We can, where it's needed. We help source an External Transport Manager for operators who need a professionally competent person managing the operation. Worth saying clearly: choosing a Transport Manager isn't just a box to tick on the application — their suitability and capacity to actually do the job need to be genuinely considered, not assumed.
It depends on the complexity of the application and how much support you need. We'll give you a clear quote before we start, and we keep our fees separate from any statutory application or licensing fees, so you know exactly what you're paying for and what it's for.
Compliance Audits
Our independent compliance audits give you a clear and unbiased view of your operation.
It depends on your operation, but we typically look at Operator Licence responsibilities, vehicle maintenance systems, driver management, drivers' hours and tachograph compliance, defect reporting, record keeping, Transport Manager systems, policies and procedures, and your operating centre arrangements. For a Traffic Commissioner or other regulatory audit, we align the review with whichever official guidance applies to your case.
Yes, both. Which one makes sense depends on why you need the audit, what records are available, how big your operation is, and whether a regulator or Traffic Commissioner has specified how it should be done.
That depends on your fleet size, number of drivers, the scope of the audit, and how easy your records are to get hold of. Some audits wrap up in a day; bigger or more detailed ones take longer. We'll agree the scope and timeline with you upfront, so there are no surprises partway through.
Yes. You'll get a written report covering what we reviewed, what we found, any gaps or weak points, and practical recommendations. We can also help turn that into an action plan and track your progress against it.
Yes — we don't just hand over a report and disappear. We can help you close the gaps we find, whether that's documentation, driver processes, maintenance systems, tachograph controls, training, or ongoing Transport Manager and compliance support.
Traffic Commissioner Audits
Expert, independent transport compliance audits for HGV and PSV operators.
It's an independent review of your compliance systems, usually used as evidence that your business is operating safely and legally. What it covers depends on your circumstances, but it can include maintenance, drivers' hours, tachograph systems, driver management, records, and — importantly — how well your compliance arrangements actually work in practice, not just on paper.
Traffic Commissioners sometimes require an audit where there are compliance concerns, or where an operator has given an undertaking to show they've improved. Plenty of operators also use an audit proactively — to catch weaknesses themselves before they turn into a regulatory issue.
Yes. We can be there before, during and after, depending on what's agreed. That might mean preparing your systems and evidence beforehand, reviewing previous findings, explaining what's likely to be asked for, or helping you work through what needs to happen afterward.
For both HGV and PSV operators, we look at how you manage vehicle maintenance and drivers' hours — and just as importantly, how well those systems actually work day to day. Depending on what's needed, we can also cover driver management, defect reporting, tachographs, records, and Transport Manager arrangements.
There's no single price — it depends on your fleet size, number of drivers, how much needs reviewing, whether it's on-site or partly remote, and the reporting involved. Once we know what's required, we'll give you a proper quote.
Additional Website FAQs
Find quick answers to additional questions about our transport consultancy services, resources and support for HGV and PSV operators.
It's an internationally recognised standard for quality management. For us, it means a structured, consistent approach to how we work — it's part of how we back up our commitment to reliable, professional service, not just a certificate on the wall.
Yes. We'll review the areas DVSA is likely to look at — vehicle maintenance, driver management, drivers' hours, tachograph compliance, defect reporting and your supporting records — and help you put practical fixes in place before an inspection, not after.
Some operators just need a one-off audit; others want ongoing support, and we do both. That can mean regular compliance reviews, Transport Manager services, documentation help, training, or follow-up audits — built around what your operation actually needs, not a fixed package.
Still Have a Question?
If you can't find the answer you're looking for, get in touch with our team and we'll be happy to help.