Operator Licence Awareness Training (OLAT) – Online Course for Goods & Passenger Vehicle Operators

£110 inc VAT • Live Online • DVSA-aligned • Suitable when directed by TC • Certificate of Attendance (Same Day)

Protect your Operator Licence. Safeguard your business.

Running vehicles under an O-licence is a serious responsibility — and the Traffic Commissioner won’t accept ignorance as an excuse. That’s where our Operator Licence Awareness Training (OLAT) comes in.

Delivered live online by experienced transport professionals, this course gives you the knowledge and confidence to:

• Understand your legal undertakings and responsibilities

• Stay aligned with DVSA and Traffic Commissioner expectations

• Spot compliance risks before they become costly problems

What makes Transcom different? Our OLAT course is the only one in the UK that is continuously updated to reflect the very latest guidance, case law, and DVSA enforcement trends. You’re not learning old slides — you’re getting the most current and relevant training available.

Whether you’re an operator, transport manager, or anyone involved in compliance, this course gives you the tools to protect your licence — and your livelihood.

👉 Book your OLAT course today and stay one step ahead.

Unlike many providers, our OLAT is updated instantly whenever DVSA guidance or Traffic Commissioner statutory documents change — so you always receive the most up-to-date training.

Last updated: 7 September 2025

Why OLAT Matters

An operator licence is a legal privilege, not a formality. Non-compliance can result in:

• Public Inquiry before the Traffic Commissioner
• Suspension or revocation of your licence
• Severe financial penalties and loss of repute

Traffic Commissioners regularly direct operators, directors, and restricted licence holders to attend OLAT when compliance has slipped. Statutory Document No. 3 (2025) confirms that operators may require additional training (such as OLAT) to restore confidence in an operator’s ability to meet their undertakings.

Who Is OLAT Most Suitable For?

• Company Directors & Senior Managers — especially those new to operator licensing, or where compliance concerns have been raised.
• Restricted Licence Holders — fully responsible for compliance without a qualified transport manager.
• Transport Managers in Training — a grounding in licence undertakings before attempting the full CPC.
• Compliance & Fleet Staff — tasked with PMIs, tachographs, records, and daily checks.
• Operators advised by the Traffic Commissioner — OLAT is often directed as a remedial measure where undertakings have been breached.

What You’ll Learn in OLAT

The course is built around the core undertakings of an operator licence and current DVSA/Traffic Commissioner expectations.

1) Operator Licensing Framework

• Purpose of operator licensing for Goods & PCV vehicles
• Licence types (Restricted)
• Licence validity and conditions

2) Undertakings of the Operator Licence

Delegates work through all 11 undertakings in detail, including:

• Observing driving/vehicle laws
• Drivers’ hours, tachographs, and record-keeping
• Preventing overloading; observing speed limits and calibrations
• Vehicle roadworthiness, PMIs, and maintenance facilities
• Defect reporting and rectification processes
• Record retention (15 months for safety inspections/defects)
• Operating centre limits; vehicle/trailer numbers
• Use of authorised operating centres only
• Reporting convictions/changes to the Traffic Commissioner within 28 days

3) Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS)

• How DVSA monitors compliance and calculates risk
• Most Serious Infringements (MSIs) and their impact
• Earned Recognition scheme and benefits

4) Drivers’ Hours & Working Time

• GB Domestic rules (goods and PCV)
• UK assimilated EU rules & AETR
• Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005
• Tachograph use (analogue/digital), calibration, card types
• Record-keeping obligations:
  • Drivers’ hours — 12 months
  • Working time — 24 months
  • Maintenance — 15 months

5) Record Keeping & Driver Licensing

• Tachograph download intervals: driver card ≤ 28 days, vehicle unit ≤ 90 days
• Lost, stolen, or faulty driver card procedures
• Driver licence checking policies and DVLA online services

6) Road Safety

• Corporate responsibilities for safe operation
• Drink/drug policies, mobile phone rules, distraction prevention
• Daily walkaround/pre-use inspections (~15 minutes, auditable, 15-month retention)
• Load security (C&U Regs 1986; DVSA load safety guidance)
• Passenger safety obligations for PCV operators

7) Traffic Law & Enforcement

• Road Traffic Act 1988 (overview of seven parts)
• Enforcement bodies: DVSA, HMRC, National Highways, Police, TCs, Local Authorities
• Vehicle taxation (VED for HGV & PCV; VTG6 plate requirements)
• Height indicator rules for vehicles over 3m

How the OLAT Day Works

1. Join online: You’ll receive your Zoom link and materials by email.
2. Interactive training: Live, tutor-led session with Q&A and real cases.
3. Evidence: Same-day certificate suitable for Traffic Commissioner CPD.

Why Choose Transcom National Training?

• Suitable where OLAT is directed by a Traffic Commissioner as remedial action
• Up-to-date content aligned with DVSA guidance and Statutory Document No. 3
• Instantly updated course content whenever rules change
• Delivered online — accessible nationwide, no travel required
• Expert trainers — decades of compliance experience, real-world case studies
• The most cost-effective way to stay up to date and compliant with operator licence undertakings

Why Choose Transcom for OLAT

What to Have Ready on the Day

• Stable internet, camera on, quiet space

Course Details

• Format: Live online training (interactive)
• Price: £110 inc VAT
• Accreditation: Certificate of attendance issued
• Duration: One-day course with Q&A and practical examples

Protect Your Licence. Safeguard Your Business.

Failing to comply with operator licence obligations can put your entire business at risk. Don’t wait for a DVSA investigation or a letter from the Traffic Commissioner.

• Turn compliance from a risk into a strength
• Show proactive commitment to licence undertakings
• Give directors and staff the knowledge to do it right