Concern over the level of ignorance of the management of High Wycombe-based Charlies Cars has led to the revocation of its O-Licence
Concern over the level of ignorance of the management of High Wycombe-based Charlies Cars has led to the revocation of its two-vehicle restricted O-Licence by Traffic Commissioner (TC) Richard Turfitt.
After reviewing the maintenance records produced, the TC said that the records for one vehicle appeared to have been conducted on a photocopy of an annual test summary form, rather than a recognisable preventative maintenance inspection form. Some defects appeared to have been reported, none of which accorded with defects identified during inspection.
Mohammed Ayub, who helps to run the business, indicated that he finds defects and fixes them. The forms produced did not even contain a declaration of roadworthiness. Mr Ayub had some memory of brake testing and thought that it might be his fault that there were no brake records. Neither he nor Director Mohammed Naeem showed any indication that they knew what they might be looking for, although Mr Naeem latterly recognised the need for printouts as part of the maintenance record. The vehicle in possession travelled less than one thousand miles per month.
The two men confirmed that the operating centre was a residential property. It might have room to park two PSV minibuses and a car, but there was no room to manoeuvre – while vehicles entered in forward gear, they must then reverse into a residential area. The safety implications had not occurred to the company, and there was no arrangement for an accredited banksperson.
They thought that driver S Khan’s licence might have been checked a couple of months ago. That consisted of viewing the licence card. There were no checks of the DVLA database and no contract to allow the company access to that data. He was self-employed, as the minibus was only used infrequently. However, it then emerged that he undertook school runs using a taxi for the company. None of that other work was recorded. They referred to use of a digital tachograph to record driving of the minibus, but appeared oblivious to the need to record any other work. They suggested that the driver’s card was downloaded every four to six weeks, but appeared to be confused when they were asked about a company card and the download of the vehicle unit.
The TC was satisfied that the management of the operation had effectively been left with Mr Ayub. He was struck by the level of ignorance displayed by both Director and Manager. They had simply failed to wake up to the situation. There was too much still to put right with too little knowledge displayed to take that action. Promises of future action carried very little weight, while there was not even the basic knowledge to seek assistance. He was concerned as to the risk presented by the maintenance of the vehicle and the failure to manage the driver.
