School Minibus Operator Suspended and Fleet Reduced Following Major Compliance Failures

On 10 September 2026, a public inquiry held in Leeds resulted in significant action against St Martins Preparatory School Limited, which operates school minibuses from its Grimsby location. Deputy Traffic Commissioner Gerallt Evans presided over the proceedings, which revealed serious deficiencies in the school’s adherence to transport regulations.

Reduction of Operating Licence and Suspension

The operator’s restricted PSV licence was curtailed from two vehicles to one and has been suspended for a period of 14 days, from 25 September to 9 October 2026. In addition, the school has been mandated to conduct an independent audit of its transport safety and compliance systems, alongside appointing a designated individual responsible for overseeing the licence.

Concerns regarding the school’s operational standards first emerged in 2024 and were subsequently corroborated by an independent audit and further investigations conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Commissioner Evans identified multiple failures on the part of the operator, including inadequate vehicle maintenance in line with the declared inspection schedules and non-compliance concerning maintenance records and drivers’ hours. Furthermore, the inquiry uncovered broader licensing and regulatory issues that were not addressed appropriately.

Delegation of Responsibilities and Management Failures

The inquiry highlighted that the directors of St Martins Preparatory School Limited had improperly delegated their compliance responsibilities to staff members who lacked the necessary qualifications and expertise to manage operator licensing obligations effectively. Although some remedial actions had been initiated, including staff training and the temporary withdrawal of certain vehicles from service, the commissioner determined that the negative aspects of the case overwhelmingly outweighed any positive measures taken.

Commissioner Evans remarked, “There was an almost complete lack of effective management control of the operator’s licence. The directors abdicated their responsibility for compliance to the school head and other local staff who were unqualified and ill-equipped for the task. The MoT failure in March 2025 involving a vehicle with a tyre cut to the cord raises considerable concern about road safety, especially in a vehicle being used to carry schoolchildren. The operator has failed to respond with sufficient pace and effectiveness to the issues identified, and I consider the effect of the decision to take vehicles out of operation has been to avoid the risk of further compliance issues rather than address the causes.”

Expectations for School Minibus Operators

The Traffic Commissioners have emphasised that all operators, including those running school minibuses, must implement robust systems to ensure vehicle roadworthiness and effective maintenance. Compliance with drivers’ hours and operator licensing requirements is critical, as the safety of passengers, particularly children, hinges on these standards being consistently upheld.

For comprehensive details regarding the decision, please refer to the Traffic Commissioner Regulatory Decisions page.

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Email: pressoffice@otc.gov.uk