Nope—it’s not the name of some new true-crime docuseries. Although, if it was, it’d be terrifying viewing for anyone with an Operator’s Licence.
This is the real-life horror story of the transport manager who vanishes for months on end… but somehow never misses getting paid.
You know the type.
- Holds all your logins like they’re the nuclear codes.
- Ignores your emails, calls, and WhatsApps.
- Has their name on your Operator’s Licence, but might as well be on a milk carton labelled “MISSING.”
And what do you get for the money you’re shelling out each month?
- Insecurities about whether you’re compliant.
- Unknowns about what’s happening behind the scenes.
- A looming sense of dread when the DVSA rolls up for a visit.
Especially if you’re a Restricted Licence holder. You might not legally need a TM, but plenty bring one in thinking it’s a smart move—and it is, as long as they’re actually doing the job. But even restricted operators are vulnerable to the disappearing act.
Directors — Listen Up
Let me be crystal clear.
When you sign the Operator’s Licence application, you, as a director, are personally taking on the legal responsibility for how that licence is operated.
The excuse “we have a Transport Manager” won’t cut it with the Traffic Commissioner.
If your TM disappears, the DVSA—and ultimately the Traffic Commissioner—will still be coming for you.
And that’s how you can quickly lose the single most critical asset of your business: your licence.
You Are a Transport Company
“We’re not really a transport company. We’re a manufacturer… a waste business… we just run a few trucks on the side.”
Wrong.
If you’ve got trucks, you’re in the transport game—whether you like it or not.
And on that playing field, there are rules:
- Maintenance standards to uphold.
- Records to keep.
- Drivers’ hours to manage.
- Systems you must be able to show to an inspector—even if your TM has ghosted you.
Because guess what happens when your transport side collapses under non-compliance?
Your “main business” can quickly become the last part of your business.
Even “Present” TMs Might Be a Problem
Here’s another harsh reality:
Even if your Transport Manager does show up, don’t be fooled.
Unless you’re sitting down with them regularly, reviewing your records, and genuinely understanding where your compliance stands…
you could still be the victim of a well-thought-out plot of smoke and mirrors.
What sort of plot? Oh, take your pick:
- Box-ticking audits. Reports look beautiful on paper but hide glaring gaps in your actual operations.
- Polite lies. “Yes, it’s all up-to-date,” when nothing’s been touched for months.
- One-person empires. Keeping knowledge and logins to themselves, ensuring you’re dependent on them.
- Bare minimum effort. Just enough work to keep you paying, but nowhere near what’s required to protect your licence.
If you don’t know what’s really going on in your compliance systems, you’re not in control—and you’re the one who’ll pay the price.
And If You Ever Get That Email…
One more thing.
If you ever receive an email from the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, and your heart skips a beat… listen to your gut.
That’s your internal voice screaming: “GET AN INTERNAL AUDIT.”
An internal audit is your chance to find and fix problems before the TC requests one.
- It gives you a fix-it list.
- It gives you motivation to make sure you’re following the rules that exist to protect you, your employees, and the public.
- It could spare you having to stand in front of the TC trying to explain why you took no action.
An internal audit is infinitely better than the alternative: a public inquiry where you’re on the back foot, explaining your lack of oversight while your Operator’s Licence—and your business—hangs in the balance.
How to Avoid the Horror Story
Here’s how to avoid starring in your own missing TM drama:
✅ Demand shared logins and documented processes. Never let one person hold the keys to your compliance kingdom.
✅ Schedule regular check-ins. Even external TMs should be visibly working on your behalf, with proof.
✅ Know your systems. Don’t hide behind “I don’t understand that stuff.” It’s your licence, your business.
✅ Don’t be afraid to swap TMs. If yours has vanished, don’t let loyalty blind you. Replace them before your licence is at risk.
✅ Get educated. Even on a restricted licence, knowledge is your shield.
Bottom line: The only thing worse than running your business blind is paying someone else for the privilege.
So ask yourself:
“Am I paying for compliance… or for radio silence?”
Because a missing—or merely pretending—TM might seem like a minor inconvenience… right up until the day the Traffic Commissioner decides the last chapter of your business story should be called “Revocation.”
“Worried about gaps in your transport compliance? Need a fresh pair of eyes before the DVSA comes calling? Reach out for an internal audit or advice on keeping your business protected.”
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