Road transport lawyer and DVSA investigations? 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. For a no-obligation, free initial consultation or rapid answer to a simple query just get in touch. We know how busy you are, and can attend at your operating centre, home or place of business at a time to suit you – we provide a truly national service. See more details at https://www.smithbowyerclarke.co.uk/services/tachograph-offences-how-we-can-help/.
What Happens When The DVSA Visit? The DVSA will attend, usually in the form of a Traffic Examiner (TE) or a Vehicle Examiner (VE). The Traffic Examiner is more interested in your documentation and the Vehicle Examiner in the actual nuts and bolts of your maintenance regime. It is said that the easy way to distinguish between a TE and a VE is that the VE will have dirty fingernails. The important thing to remember is that most DVSA employees are decent people, trying to do a difficult job as well as they can. They are not actively seeking to close you down but they are attempting to assess whether you are compliant with the regulations and, if not, what can be done. Sometimes an operator will just require a little advice – others may require attention from the Traffic Commissioner.
Using a device to interfere with tachograph equipment: The DVSA / VOSA have very sophisticated technology to check whether a tachograph interference device is being used. Drivers and Operators found with interference devices installed will almost certainly be prosecuted and the Courts have shown a tendency to impose sentences of immediate imprisonment. An Operator suspected of forging or creating false tachograph records can expect to be prosecuted, and/or called before the Traffic Commissioner at Public Inquiry. The Traffic Commissioner will want to consider whether, as a result of the deception, the Operator should have its licence revoked. Discover additional info on https://www.smithbowyerclarke.co.uk/.