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The Traffic Commissioners (TCs) for Great Britain, in their 2025/26 report, have highlighted some of the important themes arising at hearings over the past year.

As the office approaches its 100^th anniversary, it aims to ensure the regulatory framework remains effective, so it can deliver proportionate decisions in the interests of road safety and fair competition into a second century.

There are eight traffic commissioners in total, each supported by a number of deputies. They cover England – divided into six regions – Scotland and Wales, and each licenses and regulates the commercial vehicle sector.

Challenges and opportunities

Operators are often affected by external factors beyond their control, and geopolitical events and tensions that were once considered exceptional have occurred repeatedly in recent years.

As a result, TCs have witnessed reports of increased insolvencies across the sector and recognise that the cost of doing business has risen sharply.

Delayed payments can have serious knock-on effects across a business, impacting maintenance systems and other safety-critical parts of an operation through no fault of the operator.

The Commissioners said: “As regulators, we are considering how best to support operators through these pressures while continuing to uphold safety standards in a volatile and unpredictable environment.”

In addition, a growing number of operators are using AI for logistics and route planning, with potential application for predictive maintenance, telematics and fleet optimisation.

The TCs have therefore attended educational sessions on the use of AI within the industry.

The report stated: “AI is not a reliable solution to every problem, but when used appropriately it may support improved compliance and operational efficiency.”

Kevin Rooney, Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain, acknowledged that the transport industry has been subject to tremendous challenges – and opportunities – in recent times.

In his foreword to the latest report, he said: “Hostilities in the Gulf have impacted shipping generally and the price of fuel in particular.

“Operators are finding profit margins narrowing or disappearing completely, whether that be in general haulage or a rural bus service. Those suffering from lengthy payment terms are suffering the most.

“There are also opportunities. Businesses are turning to AI to solve problems with promising results.

“Traffic Commissioners are working with Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) on ways in which AI could assist the licence application process with trials underway using technology to read bank statements.”

Road safety

A key part of the role of the TCs is the targeted removal of unsafe operators and drivers.

By intervening at an early stage, the TCs help prevent repeated non-compliance and reduce the likelihood of serious incidents, demonstrating the preventative value of the regime.

TCs also strengthen professional standards for drivers by regulating vocational licence holders and taking appropriate action where drivers demonstrate poor conduct, repeated infringements or other safety issues.

This can include the revocation or suspension of licences, vehicle curtailments, disqualifications from the industry and formal warnings imposed at public inquiries.

Through statutory guidance and clear expectations for transport managers, the report said the TCs will continue to set standards for maintenance, safety systems and responsible operation.

“We will continue to work with the DVSA, the police and other agencies to support a coherent and effective road safety framework that produces the evidence needed to make robust decisions against non-compliant operators,” the Commissioners said.

Drivers

In public inquiries and driver conduct hearings, the TCs regularly see the impact poor physical and mental health has on drivers.

The report highlighted a recent prosecution of a company which provided false D4 medical certificates to HGV licence holders or applicants.

These certificates are supposed to provide assurance that the person is medically fit to drive HGVs; however, in this case, unhealthy drivers were being passed as fit.

“Operators need to be aware of the potential for this type of fraud and take reasonable steps to ensure drivers are medically fit to drive their vehicles,” the report said.

In addition, over the past year, the TCs have witnessed an increase in cases involving drug driving.

Roadside drug tests are now commonplace, and the consequences of a positive test for insurance, professional competence, and the ability to earn a living are significant.

The TCs said: “Operators should not expose themselves or the public to unnecessary risks and must have effective systems for testing, education and driver engagement.”

MPRS

Meanwhile, the TCs continue to support schemes such as the Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme (MPRS) and have reported growing interest from workshops seeking to join.

The MPRS is an industry-led, independent standard in the UK that evaluates and rates commercial vehicle maintenance workshops based on their facilities, processes and staff competence.

Currently, there are 227 workshops in the scheme, with 170 expressing interest in joining. 

“Participation in such schemes does not replace the need for full compliance but can provide valuable assurance when supported by strong management systems,” the TCs said.

Bus Services Act

The Bus Services Act 2025, which took effect in October last year, has significantly reshaped the franchising framework, providing local transport authorities with expanded powers over routes, fares, standards and operational requirements.

Throughout 2025 and into 2026, several authorities announced or progressed franchising plans, including West Yorkshire, which has developed the Weaver Network.

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Liverpool City, the West Midlands and South & West Yorkshire are also developing franchising proposals.

The report noted: “Traffic Commissioners are actively engaging with these authorities to support effective implementation and successful outcomes.”

Modernisation

The report said it is essential that the case management surrounding each public inquiry is clear, efficient, and delivers good value for money.

During the past year, the office has introduced an online case management system to enable a faster and more transparent flow of information between operators, representatives and TCs.

Also, the office said it will work with the DVSA so that applicants and operators can receive text messages advising of letters sent to their self-service account.

The report said this should help to ensure that responses can be speedier and avoid users failing to identify that they have important correspondence relating to their application or licence.