Traffic commissioner (TC) Richard Turfitt (pictured) has refused to grant a company’s application for an increase in fleet authorisation as it was “too slow” to implement changes recommended by the DVSA.
The East of England TC also curtailed the O-licence held by Hatfield, Hertfordshire-based Peters Brothers to one vehicle for a week from 21 March.
According to the DVSA, the company had not carried out vehicle safety inspections on time; had not recorded the work that had been done to rectify driver-reported defects; and had a poor MoT pass rate. A truck had also been issued with a prohibition notice for an excessively-worn steering relay arm pivot.
The firm had been convicted and fined £800 for using a vehicle in excess of its authorisation, while a driver was given a £100 fixed penalty notice for an insecure load.
The TC found that while the plant hire and aggregates company claimed to have improved its maintenance arrangements, the number of MoT test failures and advisory matters were still of concern.
The firm accepted there had not been continuous and effective management of the transport operations.
Transport manager Gerald Peters said he intended to retire from the business and accepted an undertaking not to rely on his acquired rights certificate to gain a transport manager position. The firm was given a two-month period of grace to find a replacement transport manager.
Turfitt said while his decision to curtail the O-licence could be seen as lenient, he had taken into account the effect the refusal of its variation application would have on the business.
