Fair competition is a really important part of operator licensing.

As a compliant operator, you expect to have a level playing field when you’re bidding for work against other businesses.

And you want those who are trying to cheat the system to be found out and dealt with.

Your gatekeepers

This is a key priority for the traffic commissioners. They take their role as the industry’s gatekeepers very seriously.

That’s why Nick Denton recently called a new licence application to public inquiry.

The company had tried to hide its past history during the application process by not declaring a number of matters. This included liquidated companies and illegal operations, along with revoked and curtailed operator licences.

Application scrutiny

Luckily, the connections were picked up by the Traffic Commissioner’s staff.

During the inquiry, Mr Denton was told the application form had been completed by a transport consultant who wasn’t fully aware of the history.

But that wasn’t good enough. The company director should’ve taken a much greater interest in the correct and honest completion of the application form.

Not fit for a licence

By failing to do that he signed an application which contained false information. There’s even a reminder on the form that it’s an offence to make a false declaration – right above where he signed.

Mr Denton refused the licence application because of this lack of honesty. He said the company wasn’t fit to hold a licence.

You can find the latest Traffic Commissioner written decisions for your area below.