New transport regulator system needed in Northern Ireland

According to some industry experts, the new regulator of Northern Ireland’s O-licensing system needs to be treated as equally as Traffic Commissioners (TC) is in the UK. Tom Wilson, from the Freight Transport Association, has said that this act is essential, as it will ensure a fair and clear judicial system.

The Goods Vehicle Bill will help to create this new transport regulator in the province, and it will also help extend O-licensing to own-account operators. The new regulator is expected to be given Royal Assent at some point before the end of the year. This will be beneficial for the HGVs / LGVs in the UK.

This regulator will have all of the powers of a TC in the UK, which also includes the power to issue or refuse the operating license, otherwise known as the O-license. This will directly affect the licensing of HGVs / LGVs.

All the testing issues in Northern Ireland will be done by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), a government agency overseen by the Department of Environment Northern Ireland (DOENI).

Mr Wilson has also said that DOENI will face many challenges when it comes to managing the heavy workload involved in issuing licenses. However, he has also clarified that the department will be assisted by the regulatory network in the UK and will continue with their tested O-license systems.