Kevin Rooney announced as new Senior Traffic Commissioner

The Secretary of State for Transport is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Rooney as the new Senior Traffic Commissioner, effective from 1 June 2025.

In his role as Senior Traffic Commissioner, Kevin will oversee the work of the Traffic Commissioners, who are responsible for regulating the road transport industry across the UK, with specific oversight of public service vehicles (such as buses and coaches), freight operators, and drivers.

Kevin takes on the Senior Traffic Commissioner from his current position as Traffic Commissioner for the West of England and brings extensive knowledge from his experience at the Vehicle Inspectorate and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). In these roles, he managed the introduction of the first MOT emission tests, diesel smoke tests and led the programme to upgrade VOSA’s enforcement processes, alongside working as a road safety consultant to new EU member states.

As the role of Senior Traffic Commissioner must be held by a serving Traffic Commissioner, Kevin will retain his role as West of England Traffic Commissioner alongside his new position. Kevin is hoping to continue the excellent work done by his predecessor, Richard Turfitt, to improve and develop the Traffic Commissioner service.

Richard leaves the role following the natural conclusion of his second 4-year term as Senior Traffic Commissioner. During his time in office, Richard has responded to a period of unprecedented and unparalleled change, first working through the issues emerging from the UK’s departure from the EU including drafting statutory guidance on the contingency of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) Permits and then working to provide support during COVID-19 and the recovery period. 

Under his stewardship, the Traffic Commissioners were guided through the pandemic, maintaining critical services, which led to a complete overhaul of operations, including the move to virtual hearings and the use of digital technologies, alongside strengthened ties with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Richard’s liaison with the sector via key note addresses and industry engagements has also been widely appreciated by industry leads, and served to bring visibility to the Traffic Commissioner’s important role in regulation and road user safety. As Kevin steps into the role, Richard will be continuing in his role as Traffic Commissioner for the East of England.

Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said:

I’m delighted to confirm Kevin Rooney as the new Senior Traffic Commissioner.

He arrives with a wealth of experience from his time as Traffic Commissioner for the West of England and we’re all excited to see him build on the fantastic work of his predecessor, Richard Turfitt.

I’d like to extend my thanks to Richard for his 2 full terms of service in the role, during which he has seen the team through the difficult pandemic period, and wish him the very best for the future, as he returns to his vital role as Traffic Commissioner for the East of England.

Kevin Rooney, incoming Senior Traffic Commissioner, said:

It is a great privilege to be appointed as Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain.

I want to pay tribute to Richard Turfitt and the work he has done as Senior Traffic Commissioner for the past 8 years. Arguably, he led the commissioners through some of the toughest times we have seen during the pandemic, making quick decisions to keep the haulage and passenger industries working compliantly and to facilitate service recovery thereafter.

Following in his footsteps will not be easy, but I look forward to that challenge, working equally closely with those who support commissioners and those we serve.

Richard Turfitt, outgoing Senior Traffic Commissioner, said:

I am pleased that the work of traffic commissioners is being recognised. It has been humbling to hold this judicial leadership role at times of crisis and to then be able to help the many responsible operators, transport managers and drivers who make up the regulated industries.

It is undoubtedly a challenging and often isolating role, which requires support from officials, colleagues, tribunal and licensing staff and stakeholders to be effective. The working relationship with professional bodies and trade representatives has proved invaluable to serving Great Britain and in securing the safety of road transport.

I look forward to continuing and supporting Kevin in that work, as he takes up the mantle.