Review – The Traffic Commissioners’ 2024/25 report
As independent regulators of the goods vehicle and public service vehicle industries, including their drivers, the Traffic Commissioners (TCs) for Great Britain carry out an important role.
In their annual report for 2024/25, the TCs – Sarah Bell, Tim Blackmore, Miles Dorrington, David Mullan, Kevin Rooney, Richard Turfitt, and Victoria Davies – have highlighted key themes arising at hearings from which operators might learn to avoid regulatory action.
Fair competition
Fair competition is a cornerstone of the Traffic Commissioner’s regulatory framework and a key for maintaining the health and integrity of the transport industry.
For this reason, it forms part of the TCs’ core objective to promote and develop a safe road transport industry that ensures compliance, fair competition and protects the environment.
The report said: “By ensuring that all operators are held to consistent standards, the commissioners help create a level playing field.
“The level playing field is designed to reward those who invest in safety, professionalism, and compliance, and take action against those who seek unfair advantage through non-compliance.”
Driver shortage
The report notes that while government and industry-led initiatives have helped stabilise the HGV driver shortage since its peak in 2021, recruitment and retention remain critical concerns.
A report issued by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) in February 2025 warned that the UK needs to recruit 200,000 new HGV drivers within the next five years to meet demand and prevent supply chain disruptions, with an average of 40,000 new drivers needed annually.
The TCs report said: “The Traffic Commissioners recognise the importance of maintaining high professional standards while also supporting efforts to attract and retain qualified drivers.
“This includes ensuring that vocational drivers are treated fairly and consistently, and that licensing and regulatory processes remain efficient and proportionate.”
Vehicle maintenance
A robust maintenance regime depends on drivers carrying out risk-based walkaround checks, prompt defect reporting, and regular, scheduled preventative maintenance inspections.
According to the TCs, some operators mistakenly believe that using external maintenance providers to carry out these inspections transfers their legal responsibility.
The report said: “Under the terms of an operator’s licence, it remains the operator’s duty to ensure that all vehicles are kept in a fit and serviceable condition, regardless of who carries out the maintenance on the vehicles.”
Bridge strikes
The report mentioned that in October 2024, the Senior Traffic Commissioner, reissued guidance to operators of large vehicles regarding bridge strikes.
This guidance emphasises the need for robust operator and driver control measures, including thorough risk assessments, driver training on vehicle and route awareness, as well as appropriate tools like HGV-specific navigation systems.
It also highlights the societal costs of such incidents, which pose serious safety risks and financial burdens, including infrastructure damage, service disruptions, and potential regulatory penalties.
According to Network Rail, there were 1,532 railway bridge strikes in the UK between April 2023 and March 2024.
Economic issues
In their report the TCs say they are aware of the challenges facing the sector, including rising operational and labour costs, as well as increasing market competition, all of which place pressure on already narrow profit margins.
The report said: “Despite these challenges, the sector continues to offer substantial employment opportunities, with competitive salaries, particularly for experienced drivers.
“Recent reports indicate that salaries for goods vehicle drivers have risen notably, reflecting the sustained high demand for skilled professionals.”
Security concerns
The recent All-Party Parliamentary Group’s report, Securing Our Supply Chains, pointed out a significant rise in organised crime groups targeting HGVs, with estimated losses to the UK economy exceeding £1 billion since 2020.
Thefts from trucks have resulted in substantial financial damage, including lost contracts, increased insurance premiums, as well as driver welfare challenges.
The TCs said they “are committed to working in coordination with enforcement agencies to strengthen preventative measures and improve security outcomes for the industry.”
Misuse of digital systems
In recent years the TCs have taken steps to modernise their operations, including a transition to a digital system for HGV or PSV operators updating their licence details.
While these changes have offered significant benefits, they have also presented new challenges, such as the potential misuse of the Vehicle Operator Licensing (VOL) system.
The report highlights the importance that each user must apply for VOL access in their own name, using their own username and password, which must never be shared.
Automated and electric vehicles
The commissioners have continued to monitor the trials taking place involving fully automated vehicles with safety drivers and believe there may be a future role for the TCs in licensing them.
In addition, they have actively engaged with the work in this field being led by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Also,the TCs noted that the introduction of electric vehicles into fleets continues and “that the supporting infrastructure across Great Britain needs to keep pace with this transition”.
Changes to local bus services
The TCs have worked collaboratively with operators, local authorities and the DfT on the implementation of enhanced partnership and bus franchising schemes across England.
For example, they have provided support to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and operators throughout the transition to franchising in the area, which completed in January 2025.
The report said: “As more authorities publish their intention to pursue franchising, we have engaged with them to assist in their transition.
“We look forward to continuing our work with these authorities to ensure a smooth transition.”
Statistics
The annual report also contains statistics describing licensing and regulatory activities undertaken for the year ending 31 March 2025.
These include:
- 12,345 operator licence applications and variations determined
- 11,199 local bus registrations processed
- 1,066 public inquiries determined
- 224 preliminary hearings held
- 38 Senior Team Leader (STL) interviews held
- 15,613 vocational driver cases closed
A spokesperson, on behalf of the TCs, said: “It is not in the interests of the goods or passenger transport sectors to have poor-quality operations competing with responsible operators.
“The traffic commissioners play an important and strategic role underpinning road safety and are a well-regarded means of ensuring fair play in both sectors.”
