A LORRY driver thought that by removing his plastic tacograph smart card from the vehicle’s equipment, he could extend his driving hours and no-one would know.

But inspectors from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency could trace the vehicle’s movements and driving record going back over 12 months.

At a HGV spot-check in Bala recently, inspectors for the DVSA, discovered that on 20 occasions between June 2014 and January 2015, HGV driver John Timothy Moore, 55, of The Hermitage, Moorends, Doncaster, had removed a card and exceeded his driving times.

Cheryl Ford, prosecuting for the DVSA at Dolgellau Magistrates Court, said that inspectors had equipment to test the tacographs and could pinpoint the dates and times when the card was removed.

She said that Moore was driving a twin axle DAF Goods Vehicle and that driving times were limited to ensure public safety.

The inspectors pinpointed 20 dates when the card was removed from the tacographs and Moore exceeded his driving hours. Moore told them that he had been stupid.

When the defendant was asked why he had removed the card, he replied that there were traffic delays and roadworks and that he wanted to get home, rather that sleep in his cab.

“He was frank with the inspectors,” the prosecutor told magistrates.

In applying for £1,700 costs, the court heard that inspectors had to interview the defendant’s employers, who were unaware what Moore had done, and fully check the tachograph equipment.

Simon Newman, defending, asked the magistrates to reduce the costs on the grounds that investigations into the employers, should not be part of his clients costs, especially as no charges were brought against the employers.

Mr Newman said that his client was aged 55 and had only recently qualified as a HGV driver. There was no financial gain for his client, but he was able to get home without having to take a break. He said that although there were 20 charges against his client, it meant that for the rest of the period under investigation, his client had complied with the regulations.

He said that of the 20 charges, 16 involved below 60 minutes driving over the time limit.

“My client accepts that he had been stupid to remove the card, but there were traffic problems and roadworks. He just wanted to get home,” said Mr Newman.

Court chairman Alun Pugh said that driving regulations were imposed to safeguard the public. “ We all know the consequences of HGV drivers driving over their allocated hours, as a newly qualified HGV driver you should have been even more aware. We do however appreciate your frankness and honesty when charged,” said the court chairman.

Moore was fined £230 on four charges with no extra penalty on the other 16 charges, making a total of £920. Costs of £1,000 were imposed with £92 victim surcharge making a total of £2,012, and accepted an offer to pay £100 per month.

“This has been an expensive lesson, make sure it does not happen again,” the court charman told Moore.