RHN Consultancy

Transport Consultancy

The UK Road Transport Industry, both Goods and Passenger, has a requirement for professional support in several key areas. RHN Consultancy Ltd offer a range of services to fulfil that requirement wherever and whenever necessary. The services we provide are available to clients nationwide, across our local South Wales area and the wider parts of the United Kingdom.

RHN Consultancy Ltd are experts in the field of Transport Operator Compliance in the UK. We are used as consultants by the major Transport Law firms in the UK with regards to Operators requiring professional support, be that for auditing/compliance systems & requirements, or in relation to court and Public Inquiry matters.

Our team of consultants collectively have over 100 years of experience in the UK heavy goods and passenger transport Industries, and have been attending Public Inquiries collectively for over 35 years, in addition to providing expert reports as expert witnesses.

Thorough investigations, led from events such as Road Traffic Accidents, DVSA interventions, prohibition events, annual test failures or prosecution summons are undertaken by our team, and are used by Operators internally, or by the Regulatory bodies towards providing a defence position.

We also offer full compliance Support Packages for Operators of both Standard and Restricted Operator Licences to provide compliance support for Operators that require improvements to their systems, or simply to provide assurances to the Directors that their exposure via Operator Licensing and enforcement are robust and sufficient.

Whatever your consultancy requirements may be, please do not hesitate to contact us. In the event of potential actions being taken following DVSA interventions, please remember that the earlier you take action, the better, even if a Public Inquiry call-in has been received, its better to take professional advice and support prior to any hearing.

Transport Analysis

RHN Consultancy Ltd are agents for and users of the TruTac “TruControl” analysis software. We have utilised this industry leading software for over 14 years and can provide an analysis solution to meet your needs. We also offer the supply, installation and sale of all peripherals associated with an analysis solution. With a team of trained analysts, we can fulfil your analysis needs with professional reports, utilising a system that is approved for “earned recognition” relating to driver’s hours and maintenance compliance. We can accommodate digital, analogue, and mixed fleet environments for your analysis, with professional support.

Operator Compliance Audits

RHN Consultancy Ltd can offer a broad range of audit undertakings sufficient to meet your needs as an operator within freight or passenger environments. Our audit reports have been utilised at public inquiries and as compliance with regular auditing requirements from an operator specific undertaking. Having an external audit review of your compliance procedures offers you an insight into your existing position and can allow you the opportunity to direct your attention towards specific areas as required.

All of our Auditors are fully qualified in the field of Operator licensing and compliance measures, and our audit reports are often used for the attention of the Traffic Commissioners.

Our audit will encompass all areas as necessary, including the following:

  • Driver’s hours and tachograph compliance
  • Vehicle maintenance procedures and records
  • Working time directive compliance
  • Operator licensing
  • Driver management, licensing, and training
  • Health & safety


Following any audit we will provide a structured and detailed report, assisting the operator in developing and implementing remedial measures to rectify any identified shortcomings or areas of potential enforcement exposure.

Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) & Mission Zero

RHN Consultancy Ltd have experience of working within the FORS Framework and requirements for over 10 years, having successfully assisted operators in reaching bronze and silver accreditation levels in annual re-audits and implementation of FORS requirements. We have completed the “FORS Practitioner” courses and can assist in the provision of the required driver training modules within the FORS requirements.

Furthermore, we have been successful in applying the “Mission Zero” standard into Operators.

If you are considering entry into either of these standards, or it is a requirement to gain contracts or remain within a contract, then RHN Consultancy Ltd can assist you in the necessary process to do this.

External Transport Management or Responsible Person

Regardless of the status of your operator licence (standard national, international, or restricted), there is a requirement for compliance with all the licence undertakings for which a competent and qualified person must be nominated. The requirements to fulfil the legal undertakings are complex, and often the pitfalls to an operator are not evident until some enforcement actions take place identifying the problem, by which point it is often too late to remedy without incurring enforcement actions.

Through compliance auditing and the provision of professional support to an operator, we can offer you a measure of confidence that the correct management of your undertakings is in place. 

Through a network of associates, we can often identify a suitable Transport Manager (Internal or external) for your requirements, and we will undertake the necessary compliance checks before introducing any potential candidates to the Operator.

Public Inquiries

No one wants to be called to a public inquiry, but we can help prior to any enforcement actions or visits that can prevent this course of action. Although, in some cases this course of action cannot be avoided. RHN Consultancy Ltd have assisted the legal profession and Operators in matters where a public inquiry takes place. 

The inquiry room can be an intimidating place and where severe actions can be taken against an operator, drivers, or operator person alike. As an expert witness in this field with over 35 years’ experience at public inquires across the UK, we can assist you in preparing for and providing a defence position to ensure your appearance in front of a traffic commissioner stands the best possible outcome for the Operator, driver or Transport Manager/Directors. 

We work with the best transport defence solicitors in the UK and can direct you towards and work with a solicitor in preparing your case, along with representation at the public inquiry hearing.

We can also assist in the preparation and presentation of any evidence the Traffic Commissioner wishes to see (this is usually required 14 days before the hearing date)

Health and Safety

RHN Consultancy Ltd have a team of NEBOSH and IOSH qualified health and safety professionals and have many years’ experience working within the Transport Industry. We will provide you with the systems and records that will allow you to fulfil your legal requirements relating to all aspects of health and safety in the workplace. We can undertake all your risk assessments, safe systems of work and method statements, prepare your documentation and records, and ensure this important aspect of your business is not overlooked.

Health and safety prosecutions can often be extremely severe, placing a heavy financial burden on an operator with potential for business ending outcomes. Working with RHN Consultancy Ltd prior to any potential risks offers the operator a better position to concentrate on the business potential, with the knowledge that health and safety has been considered. We will ensure risks are reduced to a minimum controlled level and that an expert is at hand to deal with preparing in advance your health and safety compliance.

Training

The requirements for training in terms of drivers, employees’ managers and directors alike are a requirement where an operator often has to look beyond their own business to meet the requirements. Transport managers (and responsible persons for restricted operators) are expected by the traffic commissioner to undertake refresher training at a minimum of every 5 years. Drivers must undertake a minimum of 35 hours training every 5 years for legal continuation of their driver CPC cards. 

RHN Consultancy Ltd, along with our associates, can provide you with this training requirement including driver training, transport manager refresher courses, forklift and HIAB training, TM CPC training and in-house direct training courses. Contact us for more information relating to your training requirements.