29-09-09 New Powers to Tackle Illegal Buses, Coaches and Limousines
Tough new powers to allow the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to crack down on illegal bus and limousine operators come in to force on 1 October 2009.
The new powers will allow VOSA to seize vehicles with more than eight passenger seats - including buses, coaches, minibuses and large limousines - which are being used without a valid Operator's Licence.
A similar scheme targeting illegal haulage operators has resulted in a significant fall in the number of illegally operated trucks on our roads and it is expected that these new powers will act as a similar deterrent to unscrupulous public service vehicle (PSV) operators.
VOSA has already been gathering intelligence on individuals and businesses known to be operating vehicles illegally. This information will allow VOSA to target illegal operators as soon as the new powers come into force.
Road Safety Minister Paul Clark said:
"Unscrupulous bus, coach and limousine operators are showing a blatant disregard for the safety of their drivers, passengers and other road users by operating illegally. They also create unfair competition for law abiding businesses who comply with the rules.
"Giving VOSA these tough new powers shows that we are determined to force these cowboy operators off the road.”
Chief Executive Alastair Peoples said:
“The law is clear that those commercial operators of vehicles with more than eight passenger seats need to have a PSV Operator's Licence. We are already gathering intelligence on unlicensed operators and from the date these powers come into force we will be acting on our information to target the vehicles of operators who put lives at risk by continuing to operate illegally."
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/operator-licensing-guides 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 which the vehicle is based.
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 bring it in line with the new PSV legislation.
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
Page last updated: 06/10/2009