Gary Austin

Transport & Compliance Specialist

Gary Austin is a highly experienced transport, logistics, compliance, and training professional with more than 30 years of hands-on industry experience. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership positions across transport operations, fleet compliance, driver development, and training, working with businesses ranging from SMEs to large national operators.

Gary has managed complex transport operations involving over 2,300 drivers, 1,350 vehicles, and 3,500 trailers, while providing strategic oversight to more than 60 Transport Managers. His extensive operational experience spans operator licence compliance, fleet management, dangerous goods transportation, driver training, health and safety, and business improvement.
Passionate about developing people and raising industry standards, Gary has led teams of driver trainers, developed accredited training programmes, and overseen the delivery of more than 10,000 professional training courses annually. His expertise includes Transport Manager CPC, Driver CPC, ADR, OLAT, DGSA, compliance auditing, and operator licence support.

As the founder of Straightline Transport Consultancy Ltd, Gary works closely with transport operators across the UK, helping them improve compliance, reduce risk, enhance operational performance, and achieve sustainable business growth. His practical, no-nonsense approach combines technical expertise with real-world operational knowledge, enabling him to deliver solutions that are both effective and commercially focused.

Through his articles and professional contributions, Gary shares insights gained from decades of leadership in transport and logistics, helping businesses and industry professionals navigate compliance challenges, embrace best practice, and achieve operational excellence.