Traffic commissioner public inquiries
Objecting to a licence
Licence applications are made public. Objections can be made by certain public bodies and in some cases individuals.
Objections by public bodies
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.
You can see the latest applications and traffic commissioner decisions in the regularly updated ‘Applications and Decisions’ guides for goods vehicles and the ‘Notices and Proceedings’ guides for public service vehicles (PSVs).
Read the guide on goods vehicle operator licensing for further information.
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’re going to affect the owner or resident’s ‘use or enjoyment’ of the land.
Read the guide on making a representation or complaint for further information.