hi all
I have just started operating and I have received a email from DVSA stating that they have 'booked ’ me a place at one of their seminars and its states the following…The Traffic Commissioner expects you to attend this seminar and your attendance will
be noted on your Operator Licence file.
I am going to go just to lrean something new… but is this something to worry about?? am I being watched ?
H
Yes i got invite as well, might learn something.
Never been to one, didn’t have them when I started out.
I’d say you will find it informative. Double check your compliance on hours, maintenance, financial and TM, don’t want to be asked a question and do an impression of a goldfish.
I’ve had to go to one, nothing to worry about its seems to be standard practice these days. It was pretty relaxed and informal, Basically a few of the DVSA types each with a specialisation tell you what they expect from a licence holder and you get a chance to ask a few questions formally during the seminar or informally to individuals at the end.
I do know somebody who didn’t attend one and after a while he got a visit from VOSA, but I don’t know if the 2 are connected.
As what Muckles said and yes the 2 would have been related. The seminars are relaxed and a good way to network/learn/ask questions. It’s an “invite” however, if you don’t attend it is held against you. If you can go on the day they ask I suggest you do or re-arrange.
As a External Transport Manager for small operators, I have been on several. In fact I’m on first name terms with the DVSA staff. lol
The way it was put to me is that in the past there would be a visit by DVSA in the first year operating of a new licence, but this would not occur if you attend the course. It is quite informative (the first time), and I always take the company representative with me, so they can see the importance of record keeping ad running legal.
I was told last time that it mat be changed to an online course, but obviously that has happened yet.
Thanks for the replies, we are going anyway as there is always something to lrean.
I got the feeling that if you didn’t attend then they would start pulling my vehicles etc. I understand that they want to make sure you know what you are doing and are trying to help, but I feel its a bit nasty to comedown on you if you don’t/cant attend, bit like a big brother system…
I used to get a mag I can not remember monthly or quarterly I thought it was real good it must have stopped because of cut backs or mine is going in wrong door any way it was good and free ,better than that trumpet blowing thing from fors
I was “invited” to one, but this was quite a while after I had started up so I was a little surprised. I went anyway and it was fairly easy going. I got the idea that it was aimed more at the holders of restricted licences who didn’t have a CPC holder, probably two-thirds of the attendees had restricted licences. It was mildly irritating to have to attend it when I could have been earning money with the truck , although when I asked if I could decline the first date, which was midweek, and go on a Monday or Friday instead, they did accommodate this without hesitation.
My advice would be to go. There are two ways to pop up on their radar here, one by going, and one by not going. I know which one I’d prefer.
the maoster:
My advice would be to go. There are two ways to pop up on their radar here, one by going, and one by not going. I know which one I’d prefer.
Exactly… “The Traffic Commissioner expects you to attend this seminar and your attendance will be noted on your Operator Licence file” makes it pretty clear that it isn’t optional. 
fuse:
I used to get a mag I can not remember monthly or quarterly I thought it was real good it must have stopped because of cut backs or mine is going in wrong door any way it was good and free ,better than that trumpet blowing thing from fors
It was called moving on and used to come quarterly. A TM I used to have had his cpc by grandfather rights and thought he knew it all and never took the wrapper off the mag let alone read it. Hence the company ending up with a PI. There is an online version now, but doesn’t seem to get updated. It’s had the same info on it for the last 6 months.
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