As the owner of a brand new heavy goods vehicle
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driving licence (though limited to vehicles up to 10 tonnes gross) I am interested, naturally, in preserving it.
I know that traffic offences which result in the suspension of my ordinary car driving licence will also result in the suspension of my hgv licence, but are there any other ways ii which my new licence can be placed in jeopardy?
ASection 115(1) of the Roa Traffic Act 1972 allows Licensing Authority to suspen or revoke a heavy goods vehicl driving licence if he considei that, by reason of his condui as the driver of a motor vehicl or of physical disability, th holder is not a fit person to hol a licence.
Thus an hgv driving licenc can be suspended or revoke for practically any offenc which could cause the LA I take that view. It has even bee known for a lorry driver, con mined to prison for non-pa, ment of wife maintenance, t lose his hgv driving licence. Th only real safeguard is exen plary conduct as a driver an complete personal probity.
But the 1972 Act is not th only statute under which th hgv driving licence may withdrawn.
For instance, Section 44 E the Powers of Criminal Coun Act 1973 provides that where person is convicted before th Crown Court of an offenc punishable with imprisonmer for two years or more and if th court is satisfied that a motc vehicle figured in the offencE the court may order the perso convicted to be disqualifie from driving.
Only last year an unenployed lorry driver who hired heavy goods vehicle on beha of a friend of his had his hg driving licence withdrawn afte the hired vehicle was used t .transport stolen tyres eve though he, himself, did nc drive the vehicle while the tyre were being carried.
This conviction was uphel on appeal. The appeal coui took the view that the cours taken provided the driver with good deal of inconvenience, a it was intended to and that thi was part of the penalty togethE with a suspended prison ser tence.