Valid Operators License?

Do you ever wonder why we ask about your Operating Licence?

In a recent case, a Senior Traffic Commissioner has refused to return an impounded HGV to a Finance Company, after it was felt that they had failed to ensure that the vehicle was being operated legally.

The commissioner stated that in their opinion, the funder had failed to act swiftly when they were served with a DVSA pre-impound letter. The letter notified the funder that an investigation had been opened as it was suspected that their asset was being operated by a company who did not hold the required Operators Licence.

Whilst there was a finance agreement in the name of a company that did hold an operating licence, the vehicle had been lent to another company to run, and that company did not have a licence to be able to do so.

In failing to react promptly to the DVSA pre-impound letter, the commissioner considered that the finance company had strong reason to suspect that the vehicle was being operated illegally, but failed to act upon that information, thereby allowing a haulier to run a vehicle illegally.

Funders are therefore understandably keen that we demonstrate that the hirer under the finance agreement has a valid operators licence and the correct number of discs for the vehicles being operated. Without this check, funders risk having their assets impounded and crushed – and they do not take kindly to having their vehicle destroyed!

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