It's one of the most common questions operators ask: how much time should a Transport Manager — internal or external — actually devote to compliance? In this interview, a senior DVSA officer sets out the guidance, the recommended hours by fleet size, and where operators go wrong.
By Zed Aziz, Transport Consultant
How many hours a Transport Manager — internal or external — should spend exclusively on compliance is a question operators ask us constantly. To answer it properly, I sat down with John W, a senior DVSA officer with over 20 years in the industry who has supported thousands of operators and Transport Managers. Here's the key part of our conversation.
The starting point, John explained, is statutory guidance issued by the Senior Traffic Commissioner. It provides a baseline for the hours a Transport Manager should work, taking into account both the number of vehicles they're responsible for and the complexity of the operation. It's a starting point — not an absolute ceiling or floor.
The guidance suggests the following minimum hours per week, scaling with fleet size:
| Number of vehicles | Suggested hours per week |
|---|---|
| 2 or fewer | 2–4 hours |
| 3–5 | 4–8 hours |
| 6–10 | 8–12 hours |
| 11–15 | 12–20 hours |
| 16–29 | 20–30 hours |
| 30–50 | 30 hours to full time |
| Above 50 | Full time, plus additional assistance |
John was candid about the recurring failures the DVSA sees:
The consequences are serious. In some cases operators and Transport Managers have been prosecuted; external TMs have lost their right to act as a Transport Manager, and operators have had sanctions placed on their licence.
The crucial point John kept returning to is that responsibility ultimately lies with the Operator Licence holder. Appointing a Transport Manager doesn't transfer your accountability — you must satisfy yourself that they're qualified, working the right hours, and demonstrably in control of the operation.
Unsure whether your Transport Manager arrangement stands up to scrutiny, or weighing up internal versus external options? We can review your set-up and provide a qualified ETM where needed — get in touch.
Book a free, no-obligation consultation and we'll talk through exactly what your fleet needs — no pressure, no jargon.
