Wife not a front for her husband
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• The wife of a disqualified operator, who then obtained a licence in her own name, was not a "front" for her husband, North Eastern Traffic Commissioner Brian Horner has decided.
Ann Hallows, trading as AP Hallows Transport, of Dewsbury, had been called before the Deputy Traffic Commissioner at a Leeds disciplinary inquiry.
Vehicle examiner Mark Millard said he examined a vehicle and trailer in August, issuing one immediate prohibition and two defect notices. The vehicle had an incorrectly adjusted brake.
A licence previously held by Ann Hallows' husband was revoked when he failed to attend a public inquiry in June. said Millard. It seemed Ann Hallows had obtained a licence to avoid disciplinary action against the previous licence.
For Ann Hallows, Gary Hodgson said it was totally denied that she was a front for her husband.
Millard said the maintenance situation had improved. Mr Hallows ought to know how to adjust the brakes properly and had been unable to offer any explanation.
After Millard had said that Mr Hallows had taken the vehicle to the test station, the
Deputy Commissioner commented that Mr Hallows had been disqualified from holding a licence in June.
Hodgson said Mr Hallows was employed as a driver by his wife.
Millard said the situation did not seem to have altered and Horner commented that it appeared that it had been a way round the licensing system.
Hodgson said that would be an appalling conclusion to reach.
Ann Hallows said she had decided to become an operator because her youngest child was about to start high school and she wanted something more than being a "lollipop lady".. It had been her idea to take on the business. Her husband had not attended the June inquiry because he did not want to be an operator anymore. He just wanted to be a driver.
Ann Hallows gave an undertaking that her husband would only carry out minor repairs in the future. She said that if he put her licence in jeopardy she would dispose of his services.
Hodgson said suspicion arose when Mr Hallows arrived at the test station driving the vehicle he used to operate.
Issuing a formal warning, Homer said he was satisfied that there was a satisfactory planned maintenance system in place.