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There were 1,600 new licence holders in the area last year, but the number of operators overall remained stable.
Traffic Commissioner Geoffrey Simms is concerned that few operators actually test new drivers' knowledge of the hours and tachograph rules.
He also worries that operators think they can legally specify another person's vehicle on their licence.
Also in the last year he says there have been a number of complaints from operators about foreign competition and cabotage.
O-licences  revoked: 45
Suspensions: 27

Traffic Commissioner Tom Macartney says a particular concern in his Traffic Area is the rise in the number of operators with restricted licences appearing at public inquiries. There were 283 compared to 264 the previous year.
Macartney says the problem is that operators with restricted licences do not have to employ CPC holders, but many of these operators do not know the industry standards even though they run up to 20 vehicles.
The impounding law continued to be used - 18 trucks were withdrawn from the road last year.
On a brighter note, Macartney says operators called to public inquiries are better organised; most have a structured plan for addressing their problems. This means 69 operators have been able to continue with nothing more serious than a formal warning.
The launch of a new computer system created extra work for staff, but means that operators now get better service.
O-licences revoked: 42
Suspensions:  14

Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell is concerned that too many incomplete applications are coming into the Traffic Area Office and creating delays in the system.
The number of licences revoked in her region dropped by 18 in the last year because there have been more cases where problems were dealt with using formal warnings and promises to improve, which are recorded as undertakings on the licences.
Eight transport managers lost their good repute and were banned from acting in that role.
O-licences revoked: 30
Suspensions: 25

Traffic Commissioner Christopher Heaps finds it unacceptable that almost 25% of all vehicles and trailers that were spot-checked had defects; problems were more common with trailers.
He says that if these figures were published in other industries like rail, shipping or air there would be "a public outcry".
There were 107 public inquiries in the South-East, down from last year thanks to the launch of a regional intelligence unit pilot project.
A total of 55 vehicles were impounded; 24 owners did not bother applying to get the vehicles back.
O-licences revoked: 42
Suspensions: 13

Traffic Commissioner David Dixon says some operators are struggling to grasp that a company has to be properly financed if it has an O-licence.
There were more environmental representations in the last year, but despite this, most of the time both parties came to an agreement.
Public inquiries rose from 131 to 181 and the inquiries are becoming more complicated because of thorough investigations by the vehicle and traffic examiners, Dixon says.
Action was taken against licence holders at most of the West Midlands' 105 disciplinary public inquiries.
O-licences revoked: 28
Suspensions: 10

Traffic Commissioner David Dixon says that there were several applications from phoenix companies in the last year.
It might be legal, he says, but it is unfair and calls into question someone's good repute and fitness to hold a licence.
In most of these cases the directors did not tell his office about their change in situation, which they are required to do within 28 days. Some companies started operating under their new names without waiting or applying for their new licence.
Dixon says the procedures for identifying these phoenix companies have improved and from next year it will be easier to tell whether a licence should be granted in these cases.
Unlike the rest of the country, the number of licences has increased in Wales.
The TC remarks on the number of truck drivers caught speeding or breaking the hours regs. He concludes it is becoming clear that more crashes are caused by driver behaviour than by defective vehicles.
O-licences revoked: 14
Suspensions: 12

Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown says road safety is still the main reason operators are being called to public inquiries for non-compliance. Last year the number of public inquiries fell.
Fewer applicants were refused O-licences in this region last year.
The number of cases involving environmental objections was high, and Brown once again asks that businesses publicise their applications in places where they are easily read, particularly if they are environmentally sensitive.
O-licences revoked: 22
Suspensions: 26

Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken says a big disappointment in the past year has been the number of operators thinking they can sell their licences, even though they are not transferable.
Another major concern has been the number of companies that continue without replacing transport managers. She warns that more operators will find themselves being called to public inquiry as a result.
She also warns that the Traffic Area Office will be asking anyone employing a transport manager remote from their main operating centre how they will keep control.
Impounding was down, possibly because there were fewer illegal vehicles on the road and local knowledge makes illegal operation more difficult. Another concern is cases where operators have not told her office about convictions. Those who are found to be keeping convictions secret will face harsher penalties, she warns.
Other worries are drink-driving by professional drivers and repeat convictions for speeding by young drivers
Although there were fewer environmental cases, many wouldn't have happened if operators had explained their plans to neighbours. They would have found out that the real source of distress was the behaviour of their drivers rather than parking or access.
The Traffic Area Office has cut the time it takes to process applications, rooted out the practice of running on interim licences and been keeping a close eye on phoenix companies.
O-licences revoked: 3
Suspensions: 8