Vehicle Inspectorate Impound Illegal Transporters

Illegal transporters are being targeted in a new offensive being launched by the Department of Transport and the Vehicle Inspectorate. This new move means that horsebox owners who are receiving any form of payment for transporting horses without an Operators Licence (when they should have one) will have their vehicles impounded and then sold or scrapped.

"Over the last few years many people have been tempted to accept payment for transporting horses, often with the best intentions," explained Jon Phillips, Managing Director of the Organisation Horsebox and Trailer Owners. "We have even heard of horsebox owners being recruited by rescue companies to assist others in the case of breakdown. This is fine if the individual concerned has a personal operators licence and the correct hire and reward insurance. If not, they now stand a very real chance of losing their vehicle altogether. Even being told that the company concerned holds a licence and insurance that covers you simply is not good enough, no matter how reliable or well known that company appears to be."

The Vehicle Inspectorate's national helpline for advice is on 0870 60 60 440. This number includes an option allowing operators, drivers and members of the public to pass on information about potential lawbreakers to the VI's Intelligence Unit. For further information and advice you may also call the Organisation of Horsebox and Trailer Owners on 01488 657651.

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