A company that wrongly believed its vehicle was covered by its customer's O-licence has been granted a licence of its own. Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire-based Philip Brock, trading as Brock Autos, had sought a licence for a 7.5-tonne vehicle before Welsh Deputy Traffic Commissioner Tim Hayden.
Brock said his main work had been collecting mobility vehicles with a 3.5-tonne vehicle towing a trailer on subcontract to Llanelli-based LMS Transport. He changed to the 7.5-tonne vehicle to be able
to collect two vehicles. He was stopped by Vosa at Hereford and subsequently prosecuted for operating without a licence, with fines and costs of £550.
He had understood that LMS Transport had put his vehicle on its licence and that it had contacted Leeds Traffic Area Office, which would issue an interim licence allowing him to use the vehicle. After being stopped, the vehicle was idle for eight months before he was granted an interim licence in May. He was still doing the same work.
Brock's newly appointed transport manager Malcolm Davie said the problem had been the result of ignorance and bad advice. Brock had no other convictions and the business was viable. Granting the licence, the DTC said it was "not a healthy start" but Brock had been candid. If he had suppressed the conviction, the outcome would have been different.
Reed Business Information Limited.©2008
