
An application to operate two lorries by a removals firm has been refused after a deputy traffic commissioner (TC) found that the owner had misled the authorities by borrowing another licence.
Kevin Greening, trading as Greening Removal and Storage, applied to run two HGVs, but investigations found that he had been borrowing a licence from operator Brian Dale for two years.
At a Birmingham public inquiry (PI), Greening admitted using Dale’s licence, but he said he did not know it was wrong and he had relied on Dale – who was also his transport manager – for assurance that it was permissible. Deputy TC Anthony Seculer said Greening was “hesitant and vague” when giving evidence and he believed this was due to him providing an account that was not true or credible.
“Greening fails to satisfy me as to repute, an essential requirement for operating a licence,” said the deputy TC. “I find that he sought to mislead the authorities for over two years by borrowing Brian Dale’s licence and rather than ‘come clean’ at the public inquiry, he sought to perpetuate the lie that he believed the arrangement to be lawful.”
At a conjoined PI, Dale had his licence revoked and he was also disqualified indefinitely for his part in the deception.