Decision for Sergejs Ltd (OH2082446)
Written confirmation of the Deputy Traffic Commissioner for the West of England for Sergejs Ltd and proposed Transport Manager Graham Moreton
IN THE WESTERN TRAFFIC AREA
SERGEJS LTD – OH2082446
GRAHAM MORETON – PROPOSED TRANSPORT MANAGER
CONFIRMATION OF THE DEPUTY TRAFFIC COMMISSIONER’S DECISION
Decision
On consideration of an application by Sergejs Ltd (the applicant) for a Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence (no. OH2082446) and further to findings that the applicant has not met the requirements of sections 13A, 13C and 13D of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995, the application is refused under section 13(5) of the Act.
“Reference to pages in the public inquiry brief are in square brackets e.g. [101].”
Background
This case is called under section 13 of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 (GVLOA 1995). The hearing held at 2.00pm on 12 February 2026 related to an application by Sergejs Ltd (the applicant) for a Standard National Goods Vehicle Licence authorising 1 vehicle and 1 trailer. It is now 2.14pm and Mr Sergejs Lukasovs, the applicant’s sole director, has failed to attend the hearing. Similarly, Mr Graham Moreton its proposed transport manager has not attended.
The history of this matter is in the inquiry brief with concise background in the case summary [3] and the call-in letter of 7 January 2026 [4-16]. I need not repeat this. In outline, the applicant applied for a licence on 14 July 2025. A previous application OH2079134 was refused because of a failure to nominate a transport manager [41-43]. The traffic commissioner became aware that the applicant’s sole director was associated with revoked licence OH2040441 held by K&B Haulage Ltd for whom Mr Lukasovs had previously worked as a driver.
The call-up letter explained that the traffic commissioner sought to be satisfied that the applicant complied with the relevant provisions of the GVLOA 1995 in a number of areas including, among others: being of good repute under section 13A(2)(b) and paragraphs 1-5, Schedule 3: having financial standing under section 13A(2)(c); and, that it has a designated transport manager who is resident of the UK, of good repute, professionally competent and can effectively and continuously manage your transport service under section 13A(4). There were also concerns relating to compliance with drivers’ hours, as well as vehicle maintenance and security.
The call-in letter also provided detailed directions requiring the applicant to provide up-to-date information on finances, vehicle maintenance, operational matters and driver management. There was also a specific direction that documentary evidence be provided confirming that payments made by the K&B companies to the applicant were not for the operation of K&B vehicles in circumstances where the applicant was required to hold an operator’s licence in its own name to make that use lawful [11].
The applicant has failed to attend the inquiry. Further, it has not complied with any of the directions calling it to public inquiry. There is no information on finances, vehicle or driver management or the association with K&B vehicles. In an application for an operator’s licence the applicant bears the burden of proof, according to the civil standard (i.e. on the balance of probabilities, or more likely than not) and throughout the application process, to satisfy me that it has met the legal requirements set out in section 13 of the GVLOA 1995.
In the absence of material information necessary for the assessment of this application along with the failure of the applicant to attend the hearing, and further applying the standard of proof noted above I am not satisfied that the applicant is of good repute, that it has financial standing, that it has adequate procedures in place for the management of vehicles and drivers. Nor does it have a satisfactory transport manager in place. For these reasons, the applicant has not met the requirements of sections 13A, 13C and 13D of the GVLOA 1995 and I refuse the application for a goods vehicle licence under section 13(5) of the GVLOA 1995.
12 February 2026
Dr Paul Stookes
Deputy Traffic Commissioner