Did you know?…If an operator is using an address that is not on its operator licence, the automatic response from the TRU is a letter notifying them of revocation without a public inquiry!

This happened to a client of mine just last week.  It’s definitely not a situation you want to find yourself in!

In the TRU’s ‘Practice Guidance – Good Repute and Fitness’ Document it states that, for any change in operating centre, an application is required and that there is “no authority until grant”.  This means there is no acceptable notification period as there is for most other changes (e.g. change in transport manager); you must have prior approval.

If, for example, you park vehicles at an off-site parking yard or a maintenance workshop at a separate location to your specified address, this is not acceptable under the terms of your licence.

If the DVA finds that you are using a location that is not specified on your licence, you could risk having your licence revoked.  It is likely, however, that you will have the opportunity to rectify the violation.  You will likely have to make representation to the TRU or you could request a public inquiry.

You will, at this stage, then have to scramble to get the address added to your licence, but this can take up to nine weeks, and you will be opening your company to fresh scrutiny.  You will essentially have to prove yourself all over again.  You will have to provide evidence of your finances, for example, to prove that you have enough money to operate the number of vehicles on your licence…and you will now be on the DVA’s radar.

As well as the variation application, you will need to publish a public notice in a local paper, which of course brings risk since you could receive objections, either making your location unfeasible or delaying the process.

The moral of the story is: be proactive in making sure ALL of your parking locations are specified on your licence.

Variation applications can take almost as much effort as the initial application so don’t get caught out.  It’s always best to be proactive rather than having to rush a variation through in a panic situation.

You can read more on the DVA’s requirements for establishment and operating centres here.