Towards the end of last year, the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) advised that it is seeking to modernise by implementing a digital by default process for most of its services. The Office now advises that from 31 January, it will require that all changes to transport managers on an operator’s licence use the digital process already available within the Vehicle Operator Licensing (VOL) system. After this date, the current TM1 notification form will be withdrawn and no longer accepted, and all changes must be made on the VOL system.
The OTC advises that anyone who has made an application for a new operator’s licence which has not yet been granted and who wishes to change the nominated transport will need to contact the Office through the messaging facility available on VOL self-service to request that the details are updated.
From 31 January the OTC will also require that applications to change licence type or surrender a licence are made digitally through the VOL system. The Office of the Traffic Commissioner will still accept surrender requests from Insolvency Practitioners, a paper form will be sent to the notified practitioner address following a change in company status. In some cases, operators will not be able to apply to surrender their licence online and in those cases, the Office will still accept requests made in writing.
The OTC says it recognises that a small number of licence holders may require assistance to use electronic services, and that it will ensure those operators receive appropriate help, via a full assisted digital service.
