Owner-driver narrowly escapes revocation
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A MERSEYSIDE owner-driver escaped with a formal warning after admitting several offences including operating without an 0-licence and failing to have regular brake tests.
Huyton-based Andrew Brown, trading as A&J Brown Haulage, with a licence for one vehicle and one trailer, had been called before North-Western Deputy Traffic Commissioner Mark Hinchliffe at a Golsborne disciplinary inquiry.
Vehicle examiner Peter Turner said that in September 2006 the vehicle had been given an marked prohibition prohibition at its annual test. indicating a serious lapse in maintenance. He carried out a maintenance investigation in November, finding that the inspection records were not complete and there was a limited number of driver defect reports.
Brown had failed to honour an undertaking given at a previous public inquiry in January 2005 to carry out roller brake tests four times a year.
Brown said he had been an owner-driver for four years. He admitted that he had kept his vehicle outside his house knowing it was wrong, but added that a previous vehicle had been stolen and used in a robbery and there had been vandalism at the authorised site. Paperwork had meant nothing to him as long as the "lorry was right". However he had been introduced to a transport consultant who had shown him what he should be doing.
He agreed he had been granted an 0-licence after operating without a licence and having his vehicle impounded.
The Deputy TC said this was a serious case and revocation had been a serious possibility. He made it plain that Brown would not be given another chance.