Disqualification for HGV driver who kept poor records and ignored breaks

A West Midlands HGV driver has been disqualified for over a year after poor driving record keeping and failIng to observe breaks.

Traffic commissioner Nick Jones ruled that Michael Didcote had tried to mislead regulatory authorities by driving without keeping a record of his duties on 19 occasions. He also failed to observe breaks and drove in excess of eight hours without the required breaks.

The industry regulator said Mr Didcote’s behaviour meant there had been road safety implications for other road users and fair competition issues for drivers who were abiding by the rules.

“Compliant drivers and operators suffer when people such as Michael Didcote choose to cheat,” the Traffic Commissioner said.

He added that failing to take action to affect a driver’s livelihood as a result of these offences would send entirely the wrong message to the wilful and unscrupulous drivers in the industry.

The Traffic Commissioner’s decision comes after Mr Didcote was called to a conduct hearing in Birmingham earlier this month. He failed to attend the hearing and Mr Jones issued the disqualification in his absence.