So many pitfalls
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As the working of operators' licensing settles into a recognizable pattern we begin to see a number of warning flags which hauliers and own-account operators will ignore at their peril. One was hoisted recently by the Scottish LA, Mr Bimie, when he considered the suspension or revocation of an 0 licence for a large vehicle because of the operator's record of overloading with small vehicles. Mr Birnie rightly stressed that an operator's licence can be put at risk by law-breaking with vehicles not covered by that licence: Section 69 of the Transport Act 1968 is quite clear in speaking of -a conviction, in relation to a goods vehicle, of the holder of the licence". The vehicle need not be one covered by an 0 licence.
Another warning shot was fired early this month by a noted transport advocate, who gave it as his opinion that already more than 70 per cent of operators are failing to fulfil the statements of intent made in the application for a licence. Licence applications are commitments on behalf of the operator, and if they are not observed then the licence may be put at risk. The LAs and their staffs will be especially vigilant during these opening currency periods of operators' licensing, when so many people have benefited by the transitional procedure.
At recent seminars sponsored by CM, warnings about the dire results of failing to take positive steps to ensure that the 0 licence is retained, and will be renewed with little trouble, have sometimes been received with scepticism. This, however, has been followed in a number of cases by operators ringing CM a few days later to admit that, on return to their companies, they had discovered simple failings which could have jeopardized their licences. Simple things—such as failing to ensure that a responsible person signs the drivers' record sheets (which recently cost a company a 150 fine for a handful of unsigned sheets) can lead to trouble. It is no use waiting until licence renewal is almost due; a regular, meticulous check that instructions are being carried out, and that the statements of intent are being fulfilled, is essential for 0-licence preservation.