Ignorance of the law fails to prevent £700 fine for operator and driver
Page 35

If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
FINES AND costs of £700 have been levied on an operator and one of its drivers who claimed they did not know a 6,200kg vehicle was subject to the 0-licence regs.
Floralux, of Romford, Essex and its driver, John Kenneth Webb, of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, both pleaded guilty to using a vehicle without an 0-licence and failing to use a tachograph record sheet. Anthony Ostrin, prosecuting for VOSA, told magistrates that a traffic examiner had checked a 6,200kg vehicle carrying plants. He noticed that there no 0-licence identity disc was displayed. Webb was unable to produce tachograph record sheets, saying his employer had told him that he did not have to use the tachograph. Further enquiries revealed that Floralux did not have an 0-licence.
Director Dennis Mackness said he accepted full responsibility for the situation. He explained that the company had not previously operated a vehicle that size — its other vehicles were too small to require an 0-licence or tachograph.
He apologised to the court on behalf of the company and his driver.
The magistrates fined Floralux £250 with £250 costs; Webb was fined £100 with £100 costs.