TMA Haulage Ltd was called to a public inquiry in Bristol after a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency investigation uncovered repeated falsification of drivers’ hours records.
Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney heard that Andrew Tucker, the company’s sole director, transport manager and a driver, had used a tachograph card belonging to former employee Bradley Baulf on several occasions in 2025 and 2026.
Mr Tucker initially denied the allegations during an interview under caution. He later admitted that he had driven while Mr Baulf’s card was inserted in the vehicle unit.
Vehicle data showed that Mr Tucker used the card on three occasions in June and July 2025 before repeating the misconduct in April 2026.
The Commissioner concluded that the offences involved deliberate and repeated falsification of records designed to conceal driving activity.
Mr Tucker was found to have lost his good repute as a transport manager and was disqualified indefinitely from holding that role.
Operator licence cut and placed at risk
TMA Haulage’s operator licence was immediately curtailed from five vehicles to four.
The Commissioner also found that the business no longer satisfied the requirements for professional competence and effective management. Its licence was therefore revoked, although the company was granted a period of grace until 6 October 2026 to appoint a suitably qualified replacement transport manager.
A separate revocation order, based on the loss of good repute, is also due to take effect on that date unless further changes are made.
To retain its licence, TMA Haulage must remove Mr Tucker as a statutory director, appoint a replacement capable of demonstrating genuine control of the company and reduce Mr Tucker’s shareholding to no more than 50%.
Vocational driving entitlements revoked
The inquiry also examined the conduct of Mr Tucker and Mr Baulf as vocational driving licence holders.
Mr Tucker’s LGV entitlement was revoked for 12 months, while Mr Baulf’s vocational entitlement was revoked indefinitely.
In his decision, the Traffic Commissioner said the use of another driver’s tachograph card was serious misconduct that undermined the drivers’ hours enforcement system.
