All this while, I thought that getting my operator’s licence was tough due to the several operators’ licence requirements. But now that I have got my operator’s licence, I realised that managing it is tougher than getting one. So, in this article, I will share five tips on how I manage my operators licence.
The five tips on how to manage operators licence are:
1.Do not exceed the maintenance schedules and always communicate about the changes
All vehicle operators licence holders must make sure that their vehicles are undergoing the scheduled maintenance inspections. While applying for my operator’s licence, I signed a declaration form stating that I will stick to these maintenance intervals. Thus, I must adhere to these maintenance checks to keep my operator’s licence secure.
It is necessary to ensure that the maintenance calendar is planned for at least 6 to 12 months in the future. Ensure that you have a properly signed maintenance contract available if there is any change in the maintenance service. Do not forget to communicate with the Traffic Commissioner about the changes.
2.Keep the defect checking and reporting procedures of the drive up to date
Vehicles, operators compliance, roadside enforcement, and everything have moved on. Drivers are now trained professionally, so there is no point in using the old-school defect books.
Traffic Commissioners expect high standards, so you must update your defect reporting system if you have not done it yet. Being up to date with road safety regulations is a big part of how I manage my operators licence.
Updating defect reporting systems means clearly communicating about the management policies and providing evidence of driver training. Most importantly, defect rectification records must be carefully monitored, recorded, and kept for at least 15 months. Performing a compliance audit can be beneficial in this scenario.
3.Monitor the tachograph analysis and produce reports:
Every vehicle operator licence holder is required by law to regularly analyse the digital smart cards of the drivers regularly. This is the only way to ensure that the driver of my vehicle is following the rules of drivers’ hours. Traffic Commissioners expect licence holders to have proper control over every aspect of their vehicle operators licence.
The reason behind monitoring the tachograph analysis is to ensure that my drivers never go over their driving hour limits. Proper tachograph analysis and dealing with driver infringements are crucial to ensuring that my drivers are effectively managed. Learn more about Tachograph Analysis in this blog, ‘Why Do You Need Tachograph Analysis.’
The information on which I have to base my reports are:
- Average Driving Hours
- Missing Miles
- Missing Days
- Last Driver’s Download
- Last Vehicle’s Download
- Driver Infringements
4.Proper communication about load security and overload policies:
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency are very cautious about load security and overload policies during roadside inspections. And getting the policies wrong can prove to be costly for the vehicle operator’s licence holder.
Making the load security and overloading policies widely available to the drivers will ensure that they are aware of their obligations. Make sure to keep a read and signed overloading policy by the staff to ensure proper communication with the employees.
5.Effective and continuous management by the Transport Manager:
Employing a Transport Manager on paper only to fulfill an operator’s license requirement can be costly. If the Transport Manager is not fulfilling their duties, they will lose their good reputation. Not only that, but the licence holder will also lose their vehicle operators licence and can no longer operate. This is a risk no business should willingly take.
Final Words
Losing an operator’s licence will decrease your good repute, and getting a new licence with a bad repute is impossible. Read this blog about operators licence requirements and how to apply for one.
Thus, you must ensure that you properly follow all the rules and regulations of managing an operator’s licence. Losing an operators licence can also open you to a costly fine. Follow my above five tips on how to manage my operators licence, and you are good to go!