Westmeath Haulage Operator Fined for using Vehicle not Authorised on Road Transport Operator Licence Following an investigation by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Ray Quinn, Ruthall, Street, Co Westmeath was convicted at Cavan District Court on 23 June 2016 for using a vehicle that was not authorised on his road transport operator licence.
The Court imposed a fine of €1,500 in respect of the charge and also required him to cover the RSA’s costs of €922. This is a significant fine and should serve as an important deterrent to those operators who use vehicles that are not properly authorised. To date this year, the RSA has initiated legal proceedings in one hundred and fourteen cases, fifteen of which are against operators for breaches of road transport operator licencing requirements as set down in the Road Transport Act 2011.
Road haulage operators who use vehicles that are not authorised on their operator licences are breaking the law and contributing to unfair competition in the highly competitive licenced road haulage industry.
Furthermore, licensed operators convicted for offences such as this may be subject to good repute checks by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport which could ultimately result in the withdrawal or suspension of a road transport operator’s licence.
The RSA encourages all operators to ensure that any vehicles being used as part of a licensed road haulage business are properly authorised in accordance with the Road Transport Acts.
For more information on licensing requirements for transport operators, visit www.rtol.ie
