Richard Turfitt has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the King’s New Year Honours. The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain confirmed the award on 2 January 2026, highlighting his service as Traffic Commissioner for the East of England since May 2008, Senior Traffic Commissioner from June 2017 to May 2025, and his current role as Acting Traffic Commissioner for Scotland.
Traffic commissioners are independent regulators for operator licensing of heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles. They also register local bus services and consider driver conduct cases, with the objective of ensuring only safe and reliable operators are licensed and that professional standards are upheld.
As Senior Traffic Commissioner, Turfitt oversaw the tribunal’s policy framework through statutory guidance and directions. Under section 4C of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981, the Senior Traffic Commissioner may issue general guidance and directions to secure consistency across decision‑making; the statutory suite was maintained and updated during his tenure.
During the pandemic and subsequent recovery, the Traffic Commissioners introduced virtual hearings and, where appropriate, hybrid arrangements to keep cases progressing while maintaining fairness. Current case management guidance confirms that remote hearings remain at the commissioner’s discretion, with safeguards where technology affects participation.
The operating model depends on close working with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. DVSA provides Office of the Traffic Commissioner staffing, tribunal facilities and digital infrastructure, enabling licensing services and data‑led enforcement to support compliance across the HGV and PSV sectors.
Kevin Rooney became Senior Traffic Commissioner on 1 June 2025 and noted that the honour reflects sustained leadership and fairness shown by his predecessor. His appointment was announced by the Department for Transport in March 2025, with his official biography confirming he continues as West of England Traffic Commissioner alongside the senior role.
For operators and transport managers, the signal is continuity. The statutory guidance and directions remain the reference points for good repute, financial standing and professional competence, while most public inquiries are held in person with remote participation used where suitable. Preparation should follow the published case management directions.
Press enquiries relating to this announcement should be directed to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner press office at pressoffice@otc.gov.uk, as set out in the government notice.