Check shows DOT flaw
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by Miles Brignall • Three out of 57 trucks stopped as part of a multiagency check carried out near Leatherhead last week failed to show a current Operator's Licence.
The figure—more than 5% — underlines industry doubts about a recent Department of Transport survey that claimed just 1.6% of truck operators run vehicles without a licence.
Road haulage organisations have put the figure at around
5%, and say the DOT survey was flawed (CM 22-28 Feb).
Vehicle Inspectorate staff at Leatherhead last week described the check as an "ordinary" day for them. Vehicles were randomly pulled off the M25 at the Junction 9 roundabout. All vehicles were examined for current tax and 0licences, 37 were weighed and 20 checked over in detail.
Of the remaining vehicles, two will be prosecuted for overloading and two were warned, One vehicle was given an immediate prohibition for a brake's failure and six warned for common use offences. One truck failed to show a tax disc while another was taxed at the wrong rate. Seven drivers were warned for minor tachograph infringements.