Public Inquiries: Real-Life Cases Involving Operating Centre Breaches

If you think a change to your parking arrangements or a neighbour’s complaint isn’t a big deal, think again.

Breaches involving Operating Centres are one of the most common reasons Restricted Operator Licence holders are called to Public Inquiry by the Traffic Commissioner. Many of these cases involve small businesses that simply didn’t understand the rules — but ignorance is not a defence.

In this post, we’ll explore:

• What triggers a Public Inquiry

• Real examples involving operating centre breaches

• The consequences operators faced

• Key lessons you can learn

• How to stay off the Traffic Commissioner’s radar

What Is a Public Inquiry?

A Public Inquiry is a formal hearing held by a Traffic Commissioner to examine concerns about an operator’s compliance. You may be called to a PI for:

• Breaching licence undertakings

• Causing nuisance at an operating centre

• Using an unauthorised location

• Failing to respond to DVSA or licensing correspondence

• Operating vehicles in an unsafe or unlawful manner

Outcomes can include:

• A formal warning

• Curtailment (reduction) in number of vehicles

• Suspension of your licence

• Revocation (complete loss) of your Operator Licence

• Disqualification from holding a licence in future

Case Study 1: The Street Parker

Operator: One-man removals business with a 7.5t box vanLicence Type: Restricted Declared Operating Centre: His home driveway Reality: Regularly parked on the street outside the house Trigger: Neighbour complaints → local council → DVSA tip-off

Findings:

• No off-road parking

• Noise complaints from early morning loading

• No planning permission

Outcome:

• Licence revoked

• Operator disqualified for 12 months

• Vehicle found to have no valid PMI for 5 months

💡 Lesson: Street parking is not acceptable — even if it’s outside your own house. Your declared operating centre must be off-street, suitable, and used.

Case Study 2: The Overflow Operator

Operator: Landscaping contractor with 2 HGVs Declared Centre: Shared industrial yard (room for 1 vehicle) Reality: Second vehicle parked on a friend’s farm 3 miles awayTrigger:

DVSA visit during roadside stop revealed incorrect base address

Findings:

• Licence listed only 1 vehicle at one site

• Second site not authorised

• No written permission from farm owner

• No vehicle check records at second site

Outcome:

• Public Inquiry

• Licence curtailed to 1 vehicle

• Warning for operating outside declared arrangements

💡 Lesson: If your fleet grows, your licence must be updated. Every vehicle must be parked at an approved and declared location.

Case Study 3: The Home-Based Haulier

Operator: Kitchen company using an 18t rigid for deliveries Declared Centre: Business address on trading estate Reality: Parked at operator’s home to save time Trigger: Noise complaint from neighbour about 6am engine noise

Investigation:

• No approval for home address as a centre

• No planning permission

• Operator stated “parking at home was temporary”

Outcome:

• Formal Public Inquiry

• Licence suspended for 4 weeks

• Ordered to submit updated operating centre application

💡 Lesson: “Temporary” parking is still a breach if it’s regular or planned. DVSA checks and Traffic Commissioners expect operators to follow the rules at all times.

Case Study 4: The Unapproved Expansion

Operator: Event production company with growing fleet Original Setup: 2 vehicles at declared yard Expansion: Rented additional unit nearby to store more vehicles Trigger: DVSA inspection found 4 vehicles, only 2 authorised

Problem:

• No licence update

• No increase in authorised vehicle numbers

• No new operating centre declared

Outcome:

• Public Inquiry

• Licence curtailed to 2 vehicles

• Conditions placed on licence (must inform TC before any future increase)

💡 Lesson: Expanding without approval is a major red flag. Licence conditions must match real-world operation — including centre, vehicles and trailer numbers.

Key Risk Areas That Lead to PI

Risk	Trigger
Parking vehicles on the street	DVSA stop-check or public complaint
Moving site without telling TC	Desk-based review or planning conflict
Parking more vehicles than authorised	DVSA fleet audit
Noise complaints from neighbours	Council referral
Using friend’s yard “informally”	Found during inspection
Failing to update licence when adding vehicles	Contradiction between licence and reality

How the Traffic Commissioner Views These Breaches

At Public Inquiry, the TC will ask:

• “Have you honoured the undertakings you agreed to?”

• “Have you kept your licence up to date?”

• “Have you operated with good repute?”

• “Are you now capable of running a compliant operation?”

If the answer is “no” — and you have no evidence of change — you’re in trouble.

The Commissioner expects:

✅ Proper use of authorised centres

✅ Proactive communication about changes

✅ Genuine understanding of your obligations

✅ A clear compliance improvement plan if things have gone wrong

How to Stay Off the PI Radar

Here’s your Operating Centre compliance checklist:

Task	Frequency
Verify your declared centres match actual vehicle locations	Quarterly
Check that centre has space for all vehicles/trailers	When fleet changes
Keep written proof of landowner permission	Always on file
Respond promptly to neighbour concerns	Immediately
Apply to vary licence before using a new site	Minimum 4 weeks before
Avoid street parking or “overflow” use of other land	Always

What to Do If You’re Called to a Public Inquiry

1. Don’t ignore it — respond by the deadline

2. Seek professional advice — transport consultants can help

3. Prepare evidence — show planning, records, permission, improvements

4. Create a written action plan — e.g. “what I’ll do differently going forward”

5. Attend in person — show you take the matter seriously

Conclusion

Operating centre breaches aren’t just a paperwork issue — they go to the heart of your compliance reputation. The Traffic Commissioner takes these cases very seriously, and they’re one of the most common reasons small businesses lose their licences.

But these risks are avoidable.

Know where your vehicles are parked. Keep your licence up to date. Communicate when things change. And if in doubt — ask before acting.

Next in the series:👉 The Ultimate Vehicle Maintenance File Checklist for Operators