What is your background?
I’m a former a navy chef. I became a driver, transport manager and then joined DVSA as a traffic examiner, before leaving to become a transport consultant.
What are the common issues you find in your role?
With drivers, the walkaround checks are a major area for concern.
Drivers hate having to write anything down.
They ask me how long the walkaround check should take but I always say it takes as long as it takes. They forget to put their card in and change it to ‘other work’ too.
Some operators aren’t aware enough of driver behaviour. I recommend downloading the vehicle unit data as frequently as the driver cards.
I’m vigilant around drivers using multiple cards and look through the tachograph download records in detail to identify drivers downloading from multiple cards.
Out of date tacho calibration certificates are also a common failing.
|
How do you carry out your role day to day?
A good transport consultant has higher standards than the minimum required. We need to choose the best tools for the job to spot the evidence. I act like a forensic investigator and think like a defence barrister.
I’ve got an annual assessment check for drivers and there’s a requirement for an 80% pass rate. I use a red amber green rating system, which includes vehicle checks, MOT, tacho calibration, odometer readings and brake testing.
I also pride myself on sending in licence applications that are right first time. If they’re complete they can go through quickly.
When did you first come into contact with the traffic commissioners?
At my first public inquiry, I missed a key piece of information and was scrutinised by the Traffic Commissioner.
I remember thinking I didn’t want to go through that experience ever again.
Now all of my records and investigations are thorough and well documented.
|
|
