Forgetful PCV operator fined
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• Philip Smith, trading as Smiths of Stratford, has been fined Z2,150 for continuing to operate after forgetting to renew his PCV Operator's Licence.
Stratford on Avon magistrates convicted Smith of using a PCV 0-licence identity disc belonging to Ken Rose Coaches with intent to deceive, and of using an out of date PCV 0licence identity disc with intent to deceive.
He pleaded guilty to 14 offences of using a vehicle without a PCV licence; two offences of exceeding 41/2 hours driving without the required break; two offences of not having the correct legal lettering on the side of a vehicle; and one offence of using a PCV without a fire extinguisher. He was cleared of using a PCV without a first-aid kit. Prosecuting, James Puzey said the offences came to light following information received.
Traffic examiner William Hutchinson said that the legal lettering on the side of two coaches was in the name of Ken Rose Coaches of Broadway. One of the coaches was displaying a licence identity disc that had expired in November 1986.
Ken Rose, a director of Ken Rose Coaches, said that he had been asked by Smith whether he had a spare licence disc as he had forgotten to renew his licence. The loan was for one month until Smith could get his licence renewed.
Smith said that he was told that he would have to apply for a new licence and that it would take about 12 weeks. Rose said he had four spare licence discs and saw no reason why he should not lend him a disc so that he could honour his commitments. He had not thought that he was doing anything illegal.