Drivers driving a 16-seater coach without a Driver CPC and without the correct driving licence has led to the licence held by Brierley Hill-based Merry Hill Private Hire being suspended for four days by Traffic Commissioner (TC) Nick Denton.
The firm had been called before the TC at a Birmingham Public Inquiry. The TC was also considering the repute of Transport Manager (TM) Brian Cooper.
Traffic Examiner Angela Watkins had reported that one of the company’s vehicles was stopped for a check on 28 March 2017. She found that the driver, Stephen Fensome, did not hold a Driver CPC or the correct entitlement to drive the minibus.
The vehicle also lacked the required children’s transport signs and legal lettering. Mr Fensome was subsequently prosecuted and fined £80 for the Driver CPC offence. He also received three penalty points for the driving licence offence.
Merry Hill Private Hire undertook that vehicles would be given a roller brake test at least every 12 weeks, not counting the one which is part of the MoT test; that it would submit financial evidence to the TC’s Office by close of business on Monday 8 January; and that it would submit a TM1 form nominating Ivor Taylor as the new TM in place of Brian Cooper to the central licensing office in Leeds.
In suspending the company’s licence, the TC did not make any adverse finding against Brian Cooper’s good repute as a TM.
