If you are being investigated or have been prosecuted for breaches of drivers’ hours regulations, tachograph offences or creating false records, it is vital that you seek legal advice from a specialist road transport lawyer as soon as possible. Stephensons Solicitors LLP have a track-record of defending tachograph/drivers’ hours cases. For free initial advice regarding your case, call one of our lawyers on 0845 00 20736.
Our solicitors regularly defend clients facing investigation and prosecution for breaches of drivers’ hours regulations and tachograph offences. We represent operators and drivers in interviews under caution; criminal cases in the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court; and regulatory proceedings before the Traffic Commissioner. We also have specialist experience of defending large-scale tachograph falsification cases involving multiple defendants.
For examples of our previous cases, please visit our case studies page: Road transport offences
Failing to adhere to drivers’ hours regulations can result in prosecution for a variety of offences, the penalties for which can be severe. Simple breaches of the regulations can attract fines of up to £2,500. Failing to use a tachograph can attract a penalty of up to £5,000. Offences of failing to produce tachograph charts also carry a fine of up to £5,000.
Operators and drivers are often prosecuted for multiple offences with each potentially attracting a separate fine.
The falsification or alteration of drivers’ hours records is a serious offence which carries a maximum penalty of 2 years imprisonment.
Convictions for drivers’ hours offences can also have serious regulatory implications for both operators and drivers and drivers alike. Investigations by VOSA or convictions in the Courts will often result in proceedings before the Traffic Commissioner.
However, many cases can be successfully defended and therefore it is important to obtain specialist legal advice as soon as possible. Stephensons’ road transport lawyers have considerable experience of defending drivers’ hours/tachograph cases and advising on compliance with the regulations. If you would like to discuss your case with one of our solicitors, please call 0845 00 20736.
