What are a Transport Managers Responsibilties?
So, you’ve decided to buy a goods or passenger vehicle and have started to look into the intricacies of getting an operator licence. You will have realised it is your responsibility to hold a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (or employ someone who already holds the CPC).
You may well now be asking yourself, what is a Transport Manager, why do you need one, and what do they do?
“A Transport Manager is responsible for overseeing the transport operation.”
But what does that mean? This article will outline a Transport Managers responsiblities.
Becoming a Transport Manager
You must sit and pass two exams for the Transport Manager CPC qualification. The course itself is difficult and covers a wide and varied syllabus. Click here to read more about how difficult it is to gain the Transport Manager CPC, and how to make the best approach to qualify. Having prior experience in transport, although not essential, is also advantageous. If you have no prior transport experience, you can still pass the exams. Then there are courses available to give you an in-depth understanding of running a transport operation, such as our TM-Unlocked course, which is perfect for new and returning Transport Managers.
What is a Transport Manager responsible for?
Certain responsibilities will vary depending on the type of transport business you will be running. The following are the main areas of responsibility.
Manage the operation
Manage the drivers
Manage the vehicles
Managing the operation
You will be expected to manage, audit and review the compliance systems, making sure they are effective. This means creating policies that are fit for purpose, and communicating them with the relevant employees and stakeholders.
Investigate any shortcomings, like prohibitions, annual test failures or driver infringements. Making necessary adjustments to the compliance systems and rectifying any issues found.
Manage the operator licence - communicating changes to the OTC in line with regulations.
Keep yourself up to date with changes in standards, legislation and regulations.
Managing Drivers
Drivers - administration
Check that drivers have the correct license for the vehicles and the job they are doing
Regularly checking driver's licences and documenting those checks (usually every 3 months)
Managing drivers Driver CPC qualifications
Recording and keeping drivers hours records (these must be kept for a minimum of 12 months)
Recording and storing working time records (these must be kept for 24 months)
Providing correct documents for drivers, such as on international journeys
Drivers - management
Make sure drivers stay compliant with drivers’ hours and working time directive rules
Enforce driver tachograph record keeping, such as driving time and rest breaks
Download and store drivers’ tachograph records
Maintain an auditable trail for all driver’s hours records
Make sure drivers are suitably trained for their job, for example, ADR training.
Drivers - operations
Oversee driver defect reports and ensure that they are actioned and recorded properly
Ensure all drivers take the right amounts of breaks and rest periods.
Managing Vehicles
Vehicle - administration
Keep vehicle maintenance records for a minimum of 15 months.
Ensure vehicles are correctly registered on the operator licence, and display O licence discs.
Ensure there are enough vehicles specified on the licence
Ensure the right vehicles are used on the right job, and that notifications are correct, i.e. height markers, payload notifications and tachographs are correctly calibrated
Oversee vehicle insurances
Maintain and manage a maintenance planner with 6 monthly PMIs, and annual tests and other calibration dates are properly displayed
Vehicle - management
Oversee and enforce the roadworthiness of vehicles and trailers, and take unroadworthy vehicles out of service
Maintain a suitable system for defect reporting and safety inspections
Liaise with internal or external maintenance contractors
Manage vehicle security
As mentioned before, the list above is only a guide. There will be additional duties based on the type of transport you will be carrying out. As a nominated Transport Manager, you must demonstrate continuous and effective control of your business’s transport activities.
If you’ve read through the list above, you’ll see it’s a huge amount of responsibility for a Transport Manager.
Remember - before you submit your operator licence application, you must decide who your transport manager will be.
MDR Training provides a wide range of Transport Manager CPC courses. If you are going to be your own Transport Manager, you will save yourself money in the medium/long term, but you have to pass the CPC exams first. With the support and guidance of our experienced tutors, we can prepare you to pass those exams first time.
If you already hold your CPC qualification but need the confidence to take on the role and succeed, then look at our TM-Unlocked course. The TM-Unlocked course is created and delivered by our tutor, who has been in your position and understands the pitfalls and difficulties you will face. You can read more about our Transport Management Unlocked course here.
If you need help or advice with your operator licence or any of our courses, please call the team on 01530 834 554.
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