20-08-07 Illegal limousine operator fined
A Bradford-based limousine operator has been fined £14,200 including costs after a series of extremely serious irregularities were discovered. Mohammed Saleem Nawaz, who trades as Oasis Limousines Ltd, received the £10,200 fine plus £4,000 costs for a range of offences including driving without insurance, fraudulent use of registration plates, fraudulent use of Vehicle Excise Duty and not having a PSV operator licence or a Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF). Mr Nawaz also had 31 points endorsed on his driving licence at Leeds Crown Court earlier this month.
The defendant originally claimed he had attempted to obtain an O-licence but this was disproved and he then stated his intention to make an application in due course. He was instructed to repay the debt at a minimum rate of £500-per-month, and warned that failure to do so would almost certainly lead to a prison sentence.
It was only after an exceptional hardship case was fought that Mr Nawaz escaped disqualification. He is also due to face proceedings for further offences, again relating to a failure to obtain the correct PSV licences and O-licences and associated offences.
VOSA’s Head of Traffic Enforcement Policy Neil Barlow said: “Although we are more than aware that the majority of limousine operators conduct their business in a safe fashion, VOSA will continue to crackdown on the reckless minority who put the public at risk in this way. The fines imposed show just how seriously we take this issue, and this was an exceptionally good piece of work from our team in Leeds.”
“VOSA is continuing to work with the Police, Department for Transport and industry groups to ensure safe operation of this type of vehicle. We advise members of the public to check at least the following points prior to making a booking. Does the driver hold a PCV driving licence and has he been screened by the Criminal Records Bureau? Does the vehicle contain basic safety items (first aid kit, fire extinguisher)? Do the forward-facing seats have seatbelts? Anyone in doubt should call VOSA’s hotline on 0870 60 60 440.”
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
Stretched limousine with eight or less passenger seats are normally licensed by Local Authorities as Private Hire Vehicles. In some cases they can be licensed by the Traffic Commissioners.
Stretched limousine with more than eight passenger seats are classed as Public Service Vehicles and are licensed by the Traffic Commissioners. These vehicles will require a COIF.
It is estimated that there 11,000 of these types of vehicles on the roads in Great Britain.
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:
• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the
MOT testing scheme
• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
• Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator
licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
• Providing training and advice for commercial operators
• Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls.
For media enquiries about VOSA, please contact: Zita Galambosi on 0117 954 2561 or Henry Norman on 0117 954 3208. You can also e-mail press@vosa.gov.uk.
Page last updated: 21/08/2007