Business quiz for 0-licence seekers
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• New applicants for operators' licences in the South Eastern traffic area are receiving, in response to their applications, a questionnaire relating to financial aspects of their operations.
Six questions are asked and if the applicant provides straightforward answers which satisfy the Licensing Authority there is no need for detailed questioning on this subject when the application comes to court. If the answers given are not clear then the applicant will be questioned in detail in court.
A spokesman for the South Eastern LA said that the idea behind the questionnaire is to save time in court, but also to try to meet the pressure from the RHA about getting sufficient financial information about new applicants. The LA has to be satisfied about the financial standing of applicants and the questionnaire will enable him to make some assessment before the hearing. The spokesman said they have only been using the form for two weeks so it is too early to report on the response or the standard of answer provided.
The six rather searching requirements are:
1. What basis do you propose to use for calculating the operating costs of your vehicle?
2. What proportion of your operating costs do you anticipate should be allocated to maintenance and tyres?
3. Are you satisfied that the rates obtainable for your service will cover the costs mentioned in (2) above in addition to the standing charges for the vehicles, ie wages, profits, depreciation, insurance, etc?
4. Have you entered into any contract or arrangements for the supply of your services at agreed rates?
5. What is your anticipated annual mileage?
6. Give a forecast of the way in which you anticipate your business will develop.