Kent courier business Beeline Sameday has had its licence revoked and its boss disqualified after failing to observe drivers' hours and tachograph rules.
VOSA analysis of tacho charts revealed driving and tachograph offences, missing kilometres, excessive driving and insufficient daily rest. Three drivers had been convicted of 16 drivers' hours offences and the firm pleaded guilty to 10 counts of permitting these offences at Medway Magistrates's Court in July. The company was fined £1,800.
Beeline Sameday failed to report driver convictions from 2006 and 2007 to the Traffic Commissioner's office, and Deputy TC Christopher Heaps found that the company had effectively operated without a transport manager for years. He even pointed out it was unclear if the nominated transport manager, John Crook, was still alive.
The Deputy TC said that although Harvinda Pasricha was listed as the sole director, "by reference to her body language, I find that she is not, and has not been the director de facto. She does not even know her own salary."
For the company, solicitor Jeremy Fear said the court had acknowledged Beeline Sameday had a system for checking tacho charts but that it had not been suitably enforced. He also said credit should be given for the appointment in April of a transport manager.
However, the Deputy TC said the company had lost its repute. He added: "Pasricha has not carried out her statutory duties as a director and I determine that she should be disqualified in all traffic areas and indefinitely."
Heaps also directed that two drivers were suspended for three months and four weeks respectively.
