Attendance at a driver conduct hearing
We are often asked by drivers why have I been asked to attend a hearing before the Traffic Commissioner when I have already been issued with a fixed penalty for these offences?
The answer is that Traffic Commissioners act on referrals from the Secretary of State, which is quite separate from a criminal investigation. Traffic Commissioners are concern with the driver’s fitness to hold a vocational licence. The hearings are not a re-run of the criminal case.
The Traffic Commissioner can revoke or suspend the driver’s vocational entitlement.
Such an order has no effect on the driver’s ability to drive his own private car, but may have a significant effect on his employment prospects.
Traffic Commissioners have recently revised their guidelines for the action to be taken at a driver conduct hearing.
Persistent drivers’ hours offences could result in a 4 week suspension and this could increase if the Traffic Commissioner thinks that there are a severe number of offences.
Re-training in tachograph and drivers’ hours rules can sometimes help to persuade the Traffic Commissioner that a driver remains fit to hold a vocational licence, as can professional representation.
We can help with both of these.
For more information please call us on 01405 763688 or 07912 387830
