New Measures To Tackle Illegal Bus and Limousine Operators In England

22-06-09

Tough new powers to seize vehicles will be given to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) in a bid to crack down on illegal bus and limousine operators.

The new powers will allow VOSA to seize vehicles with more than eight passenger seats – including buses, coaches, minibuses and large limousines – without a valid Operator’s Licence. They bring the rules governing public service vehicles into line with those applying to lorries.

Road Safety Minister Paul Clark said:

“Illegal bus, coach and limousine operators put the safety of their passengers and other road users at risk as well as creating unfair competition for law abiding businesses. Giving VOSA these new powers shows that we are determined to force these cowboy operators off the road.

“I am also pleased that key players representing passengers, enforcement agencies and the passenger transport industry have shown support for our proposals.”

Acting CEO for VOSA Alastair Peoples said:

“The law is clear that those commercial operators with vehicles with over eight passenger seats need to have a PSV Operator’s Licence. We are already able to issue fines to operators who have not gone through the licensing process but the power to seize vehicles will act as a much more powerful deterrent.

“We are confident that these new powers will allow us to crack down more effectively on dishonest operators who pose a threat to road safety as well as fair competition in the industry.”

The Local Transport Act, which gained Royal Assent in October 2008, introduced the primary powers paving the way for the proposed new regime. Regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly, allowing the new legislation to come into force on October 1, 2009.

Operators who do not have an Operator’s licence, or are unsure as to whether they need one, should go to VOSA’s website, www.vosa.gov.uk for guidance.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Vehicles with over 8 passenger seats used as PSVs must normally be operated by an individual or company that has been granted a PSV Operator’s Licence by the Traffic Commissioner for the traffic area in question.

The powers to impound vehicles will be available where PSVs are used to provide services for hire or reward, but where the operator does not have a valid operator’s licence. Other powers are already available to deal with un-roadworthy vehicles.

The powers to impound Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) have been used by VOSA since 2002; these proposals make slight changes to the HGV legislation to remain in line with the new PSV legislation.

A full summary of consultation responses can be found atwww.dft.gov.uk/localtransportact

VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:

• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services

• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme

• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations

• Enforcing drivers’ hours and licensing requirements

• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator

licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements

• Providing training and advice for commercial operators

• Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls.

For media enquiries about VOSA, please contact: Rachel Hicks on 0117 954 3208 or Zita Easton on 0117 954 2561. You can also e-mail press@vosa.gov.uk

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