Scottish waste firm wasn’t scheduling work, covering maintenance costs or paying drivers for vehicles on its licence. The lending of O licences is an issue which traffic commissioners take very seriously. “First off, it’s a matter of trust. If a licence is being used by someone else, we don’t know who’s… Read more »
Hungarian lorry drivers get 20 years for drug smuggling
Two Hungarian lorry drivers have been jailed for 20 years for smuggling 30 kilos of cocaine with a street value of £2.4m. Imre Szatmari, 47, and Joszef Papp, 40, were jailed at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday (17 May). They pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. They were sentenced to… Read more »
3 month ban for driver who filmed traffic while driving HGV
Traffic Commissioner takes action following report from driver’s employer. Earlier this week we shared footage from Highways England showing a driver who was caught using a hand held mobile phone while driving his HGV. Regrettably that’s not the only case where a professional driver’s taken unacceptable risks while on the road…. Read more »
Trucker making mobile card payment caught by HGV supercabs
Footage of a lorry driver using a mobile phone to make a credit card payment as he travels along the M40 near Leamington Spa has been released by Highways England. The trucker, who was seen holding his credit card and phone in each hand, was among over 3,000 dangerous drivers… Read more »
Operator shows “total and utter complacency towards licensing regime”
Third public inquiry finds construction firm put commercial interests above compliance. When traffic commissioners take action against operators at public inquiry, their decisions look to encourage or improve future compliance. In the most serious cases, this involves taking the licence away and preventing future operations. In other situations, the commissioner… Read more »
Complete ignorance of rules leads to revocation and disqualification
A wholesaler who sent vehicles for MOT to find out what defects they had is facing a year’s disqualification from operating. Traffic Commissioner Nick Denton said the firm’s director failed to take any interest in vehicle and driver compliance throughout the time his company held the licence. In fact, he wasn’t… Read more »
Operator suspended until inspections and roller brake testing confirmed
Traffic Commissioner: “my primary concern is road safety”. Most operators, like you, take the promises listed on your operator’s licence very seriously. A few underestimate the importance of these commitments and find themselves appearing before their traffic commissioner. Take this recent case involving a bed manufacturer. The company was called… Read more »
Haulier’s fleet restricted after failing to arrange laden brake tests
Owner also disqualified from acting as transport manager until new CPC exam is passed. Earlier this week we looked at the issue of brake testing. See GOV.UK’s heavy vehicle brake test best practice guidance here. Unfortunately, it’s something traffic commissioners still have to deal with at public inquiry. Take this case… Read more »
A tale of two skip operators
Every operator has their own way of doing things – even those working in the same industry. When it comes to compliance, while there might be different approaches, the basic requirements are the same. Whether you’re operating two vehicles or 200. Those who break the rules often find themselves at… Read more »
Untrustworthy operator who ignored all the warning signs has application refused
Traffic Commissioner says persistent non-compliance with the law means operator is unfit to hold a licence. The operator licensing regime is one built around trust and honesty between the traffic commissioners and operators. The regulators need absolute certainty that the people they’re licensing can be trusted to carry out their… Read more »
