1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150 
Bell warns hire companies to check client 0-licences
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
North Western IC Beverley Bell has warned that rogue operators are using hire companies in an attempt to beat the licensing regulations. Her comments came during a bid by Beeston Van Hire to reclaim one of its vehicles following its impounding while in use by an unlicensed operator.
The two-axle Nem Ford was seized on 27 February when the Vehicle Inspectorate swooped on Derby-based Clive Middleton, who is now facing a number of charges. Bell said: There is a concern among Traffic Commissioners that operators who want to flout the licensing regulations will use hire companies to circumvent them."
She reiterated the point first made by the South Eastern & Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner Christopher Heaps that vehicle hiring and leasing companies must ensure vehicles are only given to people with current Operator's Licences. If hire firms fail to check the TCs will conclude that they have permitted the offence and could refuse to return the vehicle, she warned.
Bell wanted to know what procedures Beeston now had in place to see that it did not happen again.
For Beeston, Stephen Campbell said this was a responsible and repute company that did not want to hiring out vehicles to ille operators. Since the incid the company had written to its customers asking to copies of their 0-licences keep on file. Vehicles would be hired out unless customi had 0-licences, and the h agreement would now includ declaration for the custom' to sign, he added.
Managing director Geoffi Cope said: "It is a learning cut for everyone concerned."
Finding in favour of the cc pany and returning the vehic Bell said that it had clearly ma substantial and signtfici changes to its procedures. S was satisfied that the compz was not aware that Middle' had no 0-licence.
"I applaud those hire corn' nies like Beeston who hE shown a willingness to assist t authorities," she concluded.