SIC 49.31 1,305 enterprises in the UK
Urban and suburban passenger land transport
What you must comply with
Unique to urban and suburban passenger land transport
PSV operator licence
Required for all public service vehicle operations. Standard National or Standard International licence. Traffic Commissioner grants and regulates.
PSVAR accessibility compliance
All local and scheduled bus services must use PSVAR-compliant vehicles. Includes wheelchair spaces, priority seats, low floor access.
Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
All professional bus drivers must hold valid Driver CPC. 35 hours periodic training every 5 years. DVSA enforces at roadside.
Tachograph compliance
Tachograph required for vehicles carrying passengers on routes over 50km. Driver card download every 28 days, vehicle unit every 90 days.
Bus service registration
Local bus services must be registered with the Traffic Commissioner. 56 days notice for new services or variations. Enhanced partnerships and franchising powers under the 2017 Act.
Applies to all other passenger land transport
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
General duties to employees, passengers, and others. HSENI enforces in Northern Ireland.
Employers' Liability Insurance
Required for all employers. Sole traders with no employees exempt.
RIDDOR 2013 (Accident Reporting)
Must report deaths, specified injuries, over-7-day incapacitations, dangerous occurrences, and occupational diseases.
UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
Must register with ICO unless exempt. Applies to passenger data, CCTV, employee records.
Equality Act 2010 (Accessible Transport)
Duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled passengers. Transport-specific provisions in Part 12.
Guidance for this activity
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Maintain DVSA compliance, manage testers, handle inspections, and avoid disciplinary action as an MOT Authorised Examiner.
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Understand O-licence requirements for operating goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
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Understand Driver Certificate of Professional Competence requirements for HGV and bus drivers.
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Understand tachograph requirements and drivers' hours rules for goods vehicle operations.
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Comply with ADR regulations for transporting dangerous goods by road.
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Understand vehicle maintenance standards and MOT requirements for goods vehicles.
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How to comply with load security requirements and avoid overloading offences. Covers the DVSA code of practice, maximum weight limits, shared duty between operator, driver, and loader, and penalties for non-compliance.
Read guideClean Air Zones and emission requirements for goods vehicles
How Clean Air Zones affect goods vehicle operators. Covers the CAZ classification framework, current zones and charges by vehicle type, Euro emission standards, London LEZ/ULEZ/Congestion Charge, and options for managing compliance costs.
Read guideInsurance for goods vehicle operators
What insurance goods vehicle operators need. Covers mandatory motor fleet insurance under the Road Traffic Act 1988, goods in transit cover, CMR liability for international carriage, and when to move from individual policies to a fleet policy.
Read guideVehicle excise duty and HGV Levy for goods vehicles
Current VED rates for heavy goods vehicles by weight band and axle configuration, and the status of the HGV Road User Levy.
Read guideCompliance for van and light goods vehicle operators
What applies when operating vans and light goods vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. Vans do not need an operator licence but must meet motor insurance, MOT, road tax, Clean Air Zone, driving licence, and loading requirements under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Read guideSmart tachograph requirements and transition
Smart tachograph v2 requirements, the transition from analogue and digital units, retrofit deadlines for international and domestic vehicles, and how UK requirements have diverged from EU rules since Brexit.
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