Driving conduct for larger vehicles, minibuses or buses
- Driving conduct
- The role of the Traffic Commissioner
- Non-driving conduct
- Goods vehicle operator licence
If you are applying for or currently hold a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driving licence or a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driving licence you will have to meet a high standard of driving conduct.
Driving conduct
You must tell Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if within the last four years, you have been convicted of any offences connected with:
- driver's hours
- driver's records
- the roadworthiness of vehicles
- overloading of vehicles
Do not tell DVLA about any convictions for these if they were more than four years ago.
The role of the Traffic Commissioner
For the purposes of licensing drivers of Large Goods Vehicles (LGV) formerly HGV and Passenger - Carrying Vehicles (PCV) formerly PSV, the DVLA refers all cases where there is a question concerning the drivers conduct to the drivers local Traffic Commissioner.
In addition the Vehicle Operators and Services Agency (VOSA) and other enforcement bodies, also notify the Traffic Commissioner of relevant convictions, including those for non-endorsable offences (eg tachograph offences). In the case of PCV drivers other relevant matters (eg theft or assault) will also to be taken into consideration.
In all cases of conduct the Traffic Commissioner for the area in which you live will decide whether to grant your entitlement to drive large goods or passenger carrying vehicles. Traffic Commissioners may deal with such cases in writing or require the driver concerned to attend a hearing. The Traffic Commissioner has the right to refuse an LGV/PCV licence to an applicant or suspend, revoke or increase the disqualification period of an existing driver’s LGV/PCV entitlement.
Non-driving conduct
Drivers of Passenger Carrying Vehicles only
If you are applying for a minibus and or bus licence, you must also tell DVLA about any other court convictions you have had - even if they are not to do with driving. Tell DVLA about these unless they have run out under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Spent convictions
For further details on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act leaflet ' Wiping the Slate Clean' is available free from:
The Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF |
You may also refer to their website www.homeoffice.gov.uk |
Goods vehicle operator licence
In general terms every person intending to use a goods vehicle (above 3.5 tonnes) in connection with any trade or business carried out by him, or a Passenger Carrying Vehicle on a road, for hire or reward, must apply to the Traffic Commissioner for an operator licence. The role of Traffic Commissioners is to promote road safety and the safety of the travelling public.
Holders of a PCV operator licence are required under Section 19 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 to report relevant convictions of themselves and those who work for them to the Traffic Commissioner.
Traffic Commissioners can take disciplinary action against operators for not keeping to the conditions of their licences. The powers held by the Traffic Commissioner include curtailing, suspending, or revoking a licence. This could put the operator out of business.
Further information about the function of Traffic Commissioners and the Traffic Area Network can be found on the Department for Transport and VOSA website.
Page last updated: 22/11/2005