For once, ignorance is an excuse
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WEST MIDLANDS Traffic Commissioner David Dixon has accepted a restricted licence holder's ignorance of the law as an excuse for lending an 0-licence disc loan unlicensed operator. But while the TC took no action against the two-vehicle licence held by West Midlands Plywood of NArednesbury he said this case showed why restricted licence holders should be required to employ qualified transport managers. Traffic examiner Sara Jones said West Midlands Plywood's MD Trevor Derby had told her that one of the two vehicles specified was operated by Geoffrey Aston, who shared the company's site. Derby had said he had nothing to do with that vehicle. When Jones pointed out that the arrangement was illegal. Derby retrieved the disc and had the vehicle taken off his licence.
Derby added that Aston had asked if he could help him out as they operated out of the same premises. He did not have any detailed knowledge of road traffic law or 0-licensing. In reply to the TC. Derby said he did not know what a CPC was. He had not been paid for the use of the disc.
For the company, Chris Harris said Derby had been naive but had learnt his lesson. Issuing the company with a warning, the TC said Derby had done something illegal without knowing.