Leasing firms advised to check 0-licence!
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NORTH EASTERN Traffic Commissioner Tom Macartney has returned an impounded vehicle to Lombard North Central, on the grounds that it was unaware the vehicle was being used without an 0licence. But he suggested that any company leasing goods vehicles should ask to see a valid 0-licence.
Traffic examiner Kevin Barnes told the TC that the vehicle was being operated by Gavin Kirkup, trading asAutopoint,of theArmstrong Road Industrial Park. Newcastle upon Tyne. On 1 October the vehicle wa followed to the premises of Reg Vardy Specialist Cal in Sunderland. It left the premises carrying an Asto Martin which was to be delivered to Driffield.
The vehicle was stopped and was not displaying a 0-licence disc.The driver, George Bradford, had saiā¢ that he was employed by Autopoint. When asked fc how long, he had replied: "About four hours."
Enquiries revealed that Kirkup was not the holdc of an 0-licence and the vehicle was impounded. subsequent HPI check had failed to reveal who th vehicle was owned by.
Traffic examiner John Morrow told the TC the another Autopoint vehicle had been stopped last Jul and the owner of the company, Gavin Kirkup, ha. been warned that he required an 0-licence.
The TC said Lombard had applied for the return c the vehicle in writing, stating it had not known it wa being operated without licence authority.