Transport Act 1985

Product Information

You’ll receive a permit which will have a unique serial number and a corresponding disc with the same number, if your application is granted . You should remove the disc and place it in the windscreen of the vehicle to be used. It must be fixed to the inside of the windscreen so that it can be easily seen from outside the vehicle but does not obstruct the driver’s view. persons suffering a degree of social exclusion by virtue of unemployment, poverty or other economic factors, homelessness, geographical remoteness, ill health, or religious or cultural customs Traffic commissioners have powers to take regulatory action against operators who do not operate services in accordance with the registered particulars. Section 26 of the TA 1985 enables the traffic commissioner to attach conditions prohibiting the operator from running certain local services or local services of any description.

share performance data information with local traffic authorities to better understand highway performance; Passengers must be informed of the requirement to wear seat belts. This may be done by means of an announcement by the driver or group leader, or by means of an audio-visual display presentation or by signs displayed at every seating position. It’s an offence to fail to take reasonable steps to ensure that passengers are so notified.

Permits may be issued by traffic commissioners (through DVSA) or by designated bodies, depending on the type of permit and the size of vehicle. The Act was created as a response to growing concern about the environmental effect the private transportation was having and the public's objection to an increase in road construction. [1] The Act was introduced by Nicholas Ridley and it committed to reduce the amount the public paid for commercial objects. This was achieved by reducing the control governments had of bus systems and reducing the subsidies to bus companies. The Conservative government also believed the removal of subsidies and local government control would lead to an increase in competition between companies. The deregulation of buses applied throughout Great Britain, excluding bus services in Greater London, and was led by the Conservative government. [1] [2] Public transport remains under direct public control in Northern Ireland. Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 (of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004) establishes rules for bus and coach transport in respect of the following: This Annex is presented in accordance with the Regulators’ Code to ensure clear information, guidance and advice is available to help those they regulate meet their responsibilities to comply, and that the approach to regulatory activities is transparent.

The list of designated bodies is subject to review. This means that bodies may be added or removed from the list. Any permit issued by a body ceases to be valid if that body is removed from the list. An application for a new permit should be made to the traffic commissioner or another appropriate designated body. 5. Safety, licensing and vehicle maintenance DVSA consider that a service is not being provided for the ‘general public’ if 2 key conditions are met.Whether the exemption is satisfied will be determined on the basis of a multi-factor assessment by a permit issuer having regard to all of the principles and considerations set out in the judgment as well as any other relevant considerations and should be decided on a case by case basis. This also applies to small vehicles being used under a section 19 permit. Permit holders who use small vehicles must inform their insurers that the vehicle is being operated for hire or reward but that it’s exempt from PSV operator licensing. 6. Once a permit has been issued 6.1 Tendering for contracts The traffic commissioner must make a finding on whether the operator has a reasonable excuse for the failures. A reasonable excuse could include, but is not limited to: The permit system only applies to journeys wholly within GB and Northern Ireland. Permits aren’t valid outside of GB and Northern Ireland. You can ask for a copy of a leaflet Taking a Minibus Abroad from either: Regulation 10 of The Rights of Passengers in Bus and Coach Transport (Exemptions and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 empowers the traffic commissioner to exercise their powers under sections 16(3), 16(5)(a) and 17 of the 1981 Act in such manner as may be necessary in the opinion of the traffic commissioner to remedy any contravention of Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 by the holder of a PSV operator’s licence in respect of whom that traffic commissioner is the enforcement authority.

When deciding whether to impose a penalty a traffic commissioner should take account of any partnership arrangements and how effectively the operator and local authority have worked together as well as performance levels. The traffic commissioner should also consider what steps the operator has taken to ensure compliance.Current guidance in respect of the meaning of the term ‘main occupation’ (for the purpose of the granting of a restricted PSV ‘O’ licence) is set out in paragraphs 27 to 29 of the Traffic Commissioners statutory document no. 13 (small PSV operations). Section 27A (as amended by section 63 of the Local Transport Act 2008) provides that a traffic commissioner may direct a local traffic authority (the legislation refers to both local traffic authorities and local transport authorities and the term “local authorities” will often cover both) to provide him, within a specified period of time, with specified information connected with any aspect of the performance of their duties for network management (as outlined in sections 16 and 17 of the Traffic Management Act 2004). The information that may be specified must be information which the local traffic authority has in their possession or can be reasonably expected to acquire. This includes information relating to the management of a local traffic authority’s road network or the use of their road network by different kinds of traffic or the effects of that use. Further guidance on the operation of the short distance exemption was released on 27 September 2019, it is to be read in conjunction with this material. The national market As a permit holder you have a responsibility to make sure that your services are operated within the law, with vehicles properly maintained and using drivers with the appropriate qualifications. You should discuss with the body that issued the permit or with DVSA if you’re in any doubt about your obligations in operating your vehicles safely and legally, or your ongoing entitlement to operate under the permit. 2. Types of permit Those seeking to obtain a permit must satisfy themselves that they will fall within the non-commercial exemption before applying for a permit.