Welcome to the first of our regular enforcement updates – where we'll share:

• court cases – a real example of DVSA’s enforcement work in action  

• practical tips – advice on making a report to DVSA 

Our priority is to keep everyone protected from unsafe vehicles and drivers and we conduct investigations into non-compliance issues as part of our ongoing enforcement activity.

We want to share a recent court case with you that demonstrates what happens where non-compliance is detected, so you can see what action we can take to help maintain the safety of our roads.

“Spectacular failure” to comply with the law

A heavy goods vehicle (HGV) operator’s offending was called “extremely serious” after a DVSA check uncovered a multitude of failings.

During an organised check of commercial vehicles in Llantrisant in February 2025, a DVSA examiner identified an HGV which did not have an operator’s licence disc on display.

This raised serious concerns and prompted further checks and it was soon discovered that the vehicle operator did not hold an operator’s licence, nor had he been using a driver card.

Following the investigation, the individual faced charges of:

• 8 counts of failing to use a tachograph without reasonable excuse
• 1 count of operating without an operator’s licence
• 1 count of failing to produce tachograph records
• 1 count of having a tachograph that had not been calibrated within the required 2-year period
• 1 count of driving without a valid Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)

In February 2026, he was sentenced to 8 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187 and costs of £2,978.

The judge described the scale of the offending as “extremely serious” and referred to the individual’s “spectacular failure” to comply with the law.

If you think a driver or a vehicle operator is breaking safety rules or conditions of their driving or operator licence, you can report them to us.

This includes if they are:

• breaking drivers’ hours rules
• overloading vehicles
• using vehicles that are not safe to drive (not roadworthy)
• using emission cheat devices
• carrying dangerous or hazardous goods without permission

We will review the information you have provided and decide what to do next.

Report a lorry or HGV driver or company on GOV.UK.