Operator licence held by a dissolved company: what it means
Why it matters when a haulage or coach operator licence is still live for a company that no longer exists, and what to do if a carrier you use is flagged.
- Severity
- Critical
- Category
- Compliance
- Plan
- Free and above
- Test code
- COM-118
- Source
- Traffic Commissioners' register of operator licences, Companies House register
What this test checks
Compares the Traffic Commissioners' register of goods vehicle and public service vehicle operator licences with Companies House, and flags live licences held by companies the register records as dissolved.
A dissolved company has no legal existence, so it cannot lawfully hold a licence or run vehicles. The licence register does catch up with Companies House, but with a lag; this check catches that gap.
What a fail looks like
A live operator licence belongs to a dissolved company. Whoever is running vehicles under it is not the legal entity named on the licence.
Harmless explanations
- The licence may be revoked or surrendered shortly, once the Traffic Commissioner processes the dissolution.
- The business may have moved to a new company that holds its own licence.
What to do
- Find out which company is actually providing the transport, and check that company's licence.
- Make sure your contract and insurance are with an entity that exists.
Related tests
- COM-119Operator Licence Held by a Company in Financial Distress
- OPS-079Operator Licence Curtailed or Suspended
- FIN-001Company Status Check
Part of the test catalogue. Every check Senserity runs, with its severity and the plan it is available on.
Last reviewed .