Road haulage solicitors and traffic commissioner public inquiry? Border Force & HMRC Vehicle Seizures: Trucks and loads entering the UK will be seized by the UK Border Force or HMRC (UK customs) if they are found to be carrying forbidden contraband (e.g. weapons, drugs, tobacco, alcohol etc). In most cases, both the haulier and the owners of the goods being transported will have no knowledge of the presence of the forbidden contraband. Reclaiming Seized Trucks: Our transport lawyers have a very high success rate of securing the release of EU owned trucks and trailers seized at the UK Border. We can usually achieve this without the need for a court hearing.
Interviews under caution are one of the primary tools used by the Police and DVSA (formerly VOSA) to gather evidence against you or your business, either for the purpose of a possible Public Inquiry or criminal investigation. Importantly, just like police officers DVSA examiners have the power to conduct formal interviews under caution. Your response to requests for interview and your conduct in interview forms one of the essential tools in preparing your answer to any allegations of misconduct or infraction. Smith Bowyer Clarke have solid expertise in representing clients both in the Police Station and in DVSA interviews under caution. We have often found that the correct approach in interview is the decisive key to a positive conclusion in front of the Traffic Commissioner or in the Criminal Courts.
Expert team of Barristers and Solicitors with years of experience in providing advice and representation in Road Transport Law.Road Transport Lawyers for HGV and PSV Operators and Drivers in the UK and around Europe. Does your company provide vehicles for employees to use as part of their employment? You may not realise it but the company could be liable for prosecution, in addition to the driver, if the vehicles are used in circumstances where motoring offences are committed. Find additional info at London low emission zone fine.
The DVSA will probably send you a form PG13 which will detail the faults that they have found and will invite you to address them in writing before they consider reporting you to the Traffic Commissioner. Use this opportunity, it may not prevent you being called in for Public Inquiry but it will help demonstrate that you wish to be compliant and have taken or are going to take the necessary steps to do so. Your transport lawyer can assist you in preparing your responses, and can liaise with the DVSA on your behalf to try to put to rest any concerns they have. In many cases, a seemingly serious compliance failing can have a perfectly innocent explanation. Smith Bowyer Clarke have long experience in representing Operators, transport Managers and drivers in front of the Traffic Commissioner. Much of what we do involves helping to turn around Operators who are failing in their compliance. We have access to first rate consultants in a number of areas who can be trusted to give up to the minute advice. If you are worried why not give us a call.
Using a Driver’s card belonging to another: By driving using another person’s tachograph card, a driver is creating a false record. The DVSA / VOSA will want to investigate why the other card was used, and how it was obtained. This offence can carry up to two years in prison. The authorities will want to know whether the Operator was aware that a driver was using another’s card. Operators who fail to notice this happening, or are complicit in it, can expect to be either prosecuted or called to Public Inquiry by the Traffic Commissioner. Discover more information on Transport Solicitors.