Regulator profile

Traffic Commissioners

Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain

Licensing Body

2 areas of regulation · 6 official guidance documents · 7 laws enforced · Great Britain

What Traffic Commissioners does

Independent regulators responsible for licensing and regulating operators of heavy goods vehicles, public service vehicles (buses and coaches), and local bus services. Issue operator licences (O-licences), conduct public inquiries, and take disciplinary action.

Contact Traffic Commissioners

Website Visit official website

Operator Licensing Public Service Vehicles

Official guidance from Traffic Commissioners

Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.

Senior Traffic Commissioner statutory guidance and directions
Publication
Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain
Detailed Guidance
Goods vehicle operator licensing guide
Detailed Guidance
Public service vehicle operator licensing guide
Detailed Guidance
Traffic commissioners: public service vehicle operations
Detailed Guidance
Traffic commissioners: transport managers
Detailed Guidance

Legal framework

Legislation that Traffic Commissioners directly enforces.

Primary legislation

Road Traffic Act 1988 Act 1988
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 Act 1988

Secondary legislation

The Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990 UK Statutory Instrument 1990
Goods Vehicles (Enforcement Powers) Regulations 2001 UK Statutory Instrument 2001
The Passenger and Goods Vehicles (Recording Equipment) (Fitting Date) Regulations 2006 UK Statutory Instrument 2006
The Public Service Vehicles (Community Licences) Regulations 2011 UK Statutory Instrument 2011
The Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 UK Statutory Instrument 2023

Legislation connected to Traffic Commissioners's remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.

Administered / monitored

Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981

UK Act of Parliament 1981
Transport Act 1985

UK Act of Parliament 1985
The Public Service Vehicles (Registration of Local Services) Regulations 1986

UK Statutory Instrument 1986
Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995

UK Act of Parliament 1995
Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Regulations 1995

UK Statutory Instrument 1995
The Public Service Vehicles (Operators' Licences) Regulations 1995

UK Statutory Instrument 1995
Transport Act 2000

UK Act of Parliament 2000
Local Transport Act 2008

UK Act of Parliament 2008
The Public Service Vehicles (Registration Restrictions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2009

UK Statutory Instrument 2009

Sectors regulated

Mining vehicles, transport and equipment

Coverage area

Great Britain

Covers England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland may have separate arrangements.