“It was a difficult time, potentially devastating. But now we have greater confidence and knowledge.”
For Steve and Carol who run a small Oxfordshire haulage business, it was daunting enough just to have the DVSA turn up and do an inspection. But when that visit generated a report to the Traffic Commissioner, and subsequent Public Inquiry appearance, livelihoods were suddenly on the line.
Theirs is a cautionary tale for any transport operator. Fortunately, for Steve and Carol, it’s a story with a happy ending - thanks to the intervention of Transport Management Solutions (TMS).
Steve has been self-employed in the haulage industry for decades, but a combination of seemingly innocuous factors and circumstances led to his operation eventually falling foul of the regulator. Among the issues, the examiner picked up a lack of recent training and development (Steve passed his Freight CPC back in 1986).
All in all the message was clear: the business needed to get up to date.
It wasn’t just livelihoods on the line. Public Inquiries by their very nature mean that a company’s issues are there for all to see, in Steve and Carol’s case the proceedings being published as a matter of course in the commercial press. And then there was the prospect of a face-to-face hearing with the Traffic Commissioner.
This is where Ian Dodd and TMS came in.
Steve and Carol were aware of the driver training companies, but less so the existence of individual transport consultants like Ian. Luckily, their solicitor passed on his details.
“Ian put everything in layman’s terms,” said Carol. “We did an audit of our operation and tried to put systems in place, but struggled through a lack of guidelines. This is where Ian helped. He was very good, advising what needed to be put in front of the Traffic Commissioner, and brought some structure and suggestions to our thinking. Most importantly, Ian picked this up quickly and became part of the team.”
Working together, Ian helped Steve and Carol through the process, formulating a response and pulling together evidence that would be sufficient in the eyes of the law. This ranged from adoption of the Tachomaster system to doing the requisite CPC Training (choosing the courses most relevant to them - Carol included), and retaining TMS in a mentoring capacity. All this meant that the couple were ready and prepared come the public inquiry.
“For many people this would involve sleepless nights. But Steve and I are strong characters. We’ve put into practice everything that Ian has suggested, and his input gave us the confidence needed.”
It certainly was enough for the Traffic Commissioner to grant continuation of licence. Whilst there was still work to do, he noted the ‘encouraging start’, ‘will to change’ and ‘good repute’ of Steve and Carol.
The experience also raised an important issue for Carol. “We’re not a large firm – it’s just Steve – and this is definitely an issue for sole traders of his generation. Anyone can go on a training course but drivers aren’t necessarily, or can be expected to be, business administrators. This needs to be emphasised through the regulatory bodies. It may be irrelevant for recent entrants but, for people of Steve’s age, there should be refresher courses.”
The couple can at least look forward to less anxious times ahead. “Now I know what’s involved and required, I know we can comply. Working as a team was the solution – and Ian’s help has been key. I cannot fault the approach of TMS.”
