A PSV transport manager is the professionally competent person responsible for helping a passenger transport operator keep control of its licensed vehicle operation. For standard national and standard international PSV operator licences, GOV.UK guidance says a professionally competent person, generally known as the transport manager, must be nominated. Most restricted PSV operator licence holders do not need to nominate a transport manager, although they remain responsible for operating safely and meeting the requirements of their operator licence.
ExternalTransportManager.co.uk helps PSV operators find listed Transport Managers and compliance professionals who understand passenger vehicle operations, operator licensing, maintenance systems, drivers’ hours, records and Traffic Commissioner expectations. ETM is not a regulator or government service. Operators remain responsible for checking whether any proposed Transport Manager is suitable for their licence, vehicle numbers, operating model and region.
When a PSV operator needs a transport manager
A transport manager is normally required where a PSV business holds, or is applying for, a standard national or standard international PSV operator licence. The nominated person must be professionally competent, of good repute and accepted by the Traffic Commissioner before they can act on the licence.
Passenger operations often involve additional operational and public-facing considerations, including passenger safety, vehicle condition, driver management and service delivery. The role should be more than a name on the licence. A PSV transport manager needs time, authority, access to records and a practical understanding of how the operation actually runs.
What a PSV transport manager should help oversee
The exact duties depend on the type of PSV work, vehicle numbers, operating centres and whether the role is internal or external. Typical areas include:
- Vehicle maintenance planning, defect reporting and inspection records.
- Drivers’ hours, tachograph or domestic hours controls where applicable.
- Driver licence checks, Driver CPC records and training evidence.
- Operating centre discipline, vehicle authorisation and licence conditions.
- Incident follow-up, audit preparation and Traffic Commissioner correspondence.
- Regular management reviews so compliance problems are identified early.
Using an external PSV transport manager
An external transport manager can be appointed where the operator does not have a suitable internal CPC-qualified person. The arrangement should be real, documented and proportionate to the size and risk of the operation. Traffic Commissioner guidance sets a starting point that external transport managers should normally work for no more than four operators with a combined total of 50 authorised vehicles, although individual cases are assessed on their own facts.
Before appointing an external PSV transport manager, check the person’s CPC evidence, PSV experience, current commitments, proposed monthly hours, site visit arrangements, access to maintenance and driver records, and how they will evidence continuous and effective management.
Find PSV transport manager support
If you need a PSV transport manager for an operator licence application, variation, period of grace, audit or ongoing compliance role, use the Find a Transport Manager directory to search listed Transport Managers by region and experience. If the work is wider than nomination alone, you can also request TM support and describe the PSV operation, vehicle numbers and compliance issue.
Useful official references include the GOV.UK public service vehicle operator licensing guide, GOV.UK transport manager guidance and the Traffic Commissioners’ Statutory Document 3.