Inquiry Findings on St Martins Preparatory School’s Transport Operations
On 10 September 2026, a public inquiry held in Leeds, presided over by Deputy Traffic Commissioner Gerallt Evans, resulted in significant repercussions for St Martins Preparatory School Limited, which manages a fleet of school minibuses from its base in Grimsby. The inquiry scrutinised the company’s adherence to transport regulations and safety protocols.
The inquiry concluded with the imposition of sanctions on the operator’s restricted Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, which was reduced from two vehicles to one. Furthermore, the licence has been suspended for a period of 14 days, commencing from 25 September until 9 October 2026. In addition to these penalties, St Martins has been mandated to conduct an independent audit of its transport safety and compliance practices, along with the appointment of a designated individual responsible for overseeing the licence.
Concerns Over Compliance and Safety
The inquiry revealed that issues concerning the operator’s compliance had first come to light in 2024, subsequently reiterated in an independent audit and investigations by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Commissioner Evans established that the operator had neglected to maintain vehicles according to the declared inspection schedules, failed to adhere to commitments regarding vehicle maintenance records, and did not comply adequately with regulations concerning drivers’ hours. Moreover, the operator had been found to have broader licensing and regulatory deficiencies.
It was determined that the directors of St Martins had essentially transferred the responsibility for compliance to staff members who lacked the necessary qualifications and expertise to manage the obligations linked to operator licensing. While some corrective measures had been implemented, such as staff training and the temporary withdrawal of vehicles, the commissioner concluded that these actions were insufficient compared to the gravity of the issues at hand.
Commissioner’s Concerns Regarding Management Oversight
Commissioner Evans expressed serious concerns regarding the operational oversight of the licence, stating, “There was an almost complete lack of effective management control of the operator’s licence.” He noted that the directors had effectively relinquished their compliance responsibilities to the school head and other local personnel who were unqualified for this critical task. A notable incident contributing to these concerns was a failure during a Ministry of Transport (MoT) inspection in March 2025, where a vehicle was found with a tyre cut to the cord, raising significant road safety issues, especially given that the vehicle was used for transporting schoolchildren.
Furthermore, Evans highlighted that the operator had not responded adequately to the issues identified, stating, “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.” This inadequate response raises serious implications for the safety and reliability of the school’s transport operations.
Expectations for School Transport Operators
The Traffic Commissioners have set clear expectations for all operators, including educational institutions using minibuses, to implement robust systems ensuring vehicle roadworthiness, effective maintenance practices, and adherence to drivers’ hours and operator licensing requirements. The safety of passengers, particularly children, hinges on the consistent application of these standards.
For further information regarding the decision, please refer to the Traffic Commissioner Regulatory Decisions page.
Should you have any enquiries or require additional details, please do not hesitate to contact:
Email: pressoffice@otc.gov.uk