The Traffic Commissioner is now asking some company managers and directors for evidence that they have experience managing a transport operation, or have completed OLAT : Operator Licence Awareness, which stands for Operator Licence Awareness Training. If you are responsible for a company’s operator licence, it is worth checking what evidence you could provide if asked.
This does not make OLAT a blanket legal requirement. The right evidence will depend on your circumstances and what the Commissioner asks you to demonstrate. But where you cannot show relevant experience, OLAT offers a practical way to show that you have taken steps to understand your responsibilities.
Open Road Training Ltd’s next OLAT course is on 11 November 2026. You can choose an Ofqual-regulated qualification or attendance-only training, and 7 hours of Driver CPC can be included, subject to eligibility.
1. Why might a director or manager be asked for evidence?
An operator licence comes with responsibilities. The person making decisions about the business does not need to be the Transport Manager, but they should understand how those decisions can affect the licence and the safe, legal running of the operation.
The Senior Traffic Commissioner’s Statutory Document 3 explains the role and expectations surrounding transport management. The Commissioner may seek further information to assess whether relevant requirements are met. In practice, you may be asked to show either that you have experience managing a transport operation or that you have completed OLAT.
A job title on its own may not explain what you know or what you do. Having evidence ready can make it easier to respond clearly, rather than trying to assemble a case in a hurry.
1.1 Standard and restricted licences
On a standard operator licence, professional competence is normally demonstrated by nominating a qualified Transport Manager who holds a Transport Manager CPC. The GOV.UK guide to becoming a Transport Manager explains the qualification and role.
A restricted operator licence does not require you to nominate a professionally competent Transport Manager. However, you must still be able to run your operation safely and legally. If you are a director, owner or newly appointed responsible person on a restricted licence, you may be asked to show how you understand and oversee those responsibilities.
OLAT is not a Transport Manager CPC and does not appoint you as a Transport Manager. It is practical awareness training for people who have responsibility for, or influence over, an operator licence.
2. Who should consider OLAT?
OLAT is suitable for directors, managers and assistants — anyone whose decisions touch the operator licence. You may find it useful if you are:
- A director or owner named on, or responsible for, an operator licence.
- A manager whose decisions affect the licence or transport operation.
- A transport clerk, supervisor or administrator who keeps compliance paperwork in order.
- A restricted Operator Licence holder.
- A newly appointed responsible person on a restricted licence.
- Preparing for a licence application, variation, renewal, audit or Public Inquiry.
You do not need to be a professional driver or an experienced transport manager to attend. The course is designed to help people with business responsibilities understand the operator-licensing side of their role.
3. Choose the OLAT route that suits your purpose
Open Road offers two routes. The best choice depends on the evidence you need and whether you want a formal regulated qualification.
| Route | What you receive | May suit you if… |
|---|---|---|
| Ofqual-regulated qualification | Training and assessment towards a formal, regulated qualification. Open Road can assess candidates as an examination centre, so you do not need to go elsewhere for the assessment. | You want to evidence a recognised, regulated qualification. |
| Attendance only | Training with your attendance recorded. You can use that attendance record as evidence that you completed OLAT. | You need the knowledge and a record of attendance rather than a qualification certificate. |
Both options give you the opportunity to develop your understanding. The attendance-only route provides a record of attendance. The Ofqual-regulated route gives you a formal regulated qualification, which provides stronger formal evidence when you are asked to demonstrate training. Neither route can guarantee the outcome of a licence application or a Traffic Commissioner’s decision.
4. Book your place on 11 November
Our next OLAT course is on 11 November 2026. You can check course dates and availability, or read more about OLAT and our Transport Manager courses.
To ask about booking, call 01698 598 665 or email info@open-road.org. Please confirm the date and availability when you book.
5. Can you include Driver CPC?
Yes. 7 hours of Driver CPC can be included with the OLAT, subject to eligibility. If you are also a professional driver, this may allow the training day to count towards your periodic Driver CPC training.
Driver CPC requirements depend on your circumstances. Confirm your eligibility and the current requirements with us before booking, particularly if you are combining professional driver training with responsibilities as a director or manager.
6. What can OLAT help you demonstrate?
OLAT can help you show that you have taken steps to understand your responsibilities. Depending on your circumstances and what you have been asked for, that evidence may support your response to a request from the Traffic Commissioner or help you prepare for an application, audit or Public Inquiry.
The benefit is practical: you can produce a record of attendance or a regulated qualification when asked, rather than starting from scratch under pressure. You can also build a clearer understanding of what holding an operator licence commits your business to.
Training is one part of the picture. If you have relevant operational experience, be ready to describe your responsibilities and what you personally do. If you are uncertain what evidence is appropriate for your situation, seek advice specific to your licence or application.
7. Other training options
If OLAT is not the only training you need, Open Road offers further routes:
- A 2-day Transport Manager Refresher and Compliance Awareness course for road haulage and passenger transport. It costs £350 plus VAT, with the option to add up to 7 hours of Driver CPC per day, subject to eligibility.
- 3-day combined OLAT and compliance courses for office and administrative staff and Restricted Operator Licence holders.
- Home study Transport Manager CPC with an online exam.
- Full 10-day Transport Manager CPC courses with exams at our centre. Full courses are scheduled for November 2026.
- ADR and Driver CPC courses run every month.
8. Summary: prepare your evidence before it is requested
If you are responsible for an operator licence, you may be asked to show that you have experience managing a transport operation or have completed OLAT. OLAT is not a blanket statutory requirement, and it is not a Transport Manager CPC. It is a practical route for directors, owners, managers and support staff who need to understand their responsibilities.
You can choose attendance-only training or an Ofqual-regulated qualification. Open Road can assess candidates for the qualification route, and 7 hours of Driver CPC can be included subject to eligibility and current requirements.
Book your place on 11 November 2026. Check course dates and availability, call 01698 598 665, or email info@open-road.org.
Open Road Training Ltd is at 29 Hope Street, Motherwell, ML1 1BS, conveniently opposite Motherwell train station.
