Recycling Operator Cuts Fleet in Half Due to Major Tachograph and Driver Management Issues

Dr Paul Stookes, the Deputy Traffic Commissioner, has indefinitely reduced the operator’s licence of Kingpin Recycling Ltd from twelve vehicles to six. This decision follows a public inquiry that took place on 24 June 2026.

Based in Shropshire, Kingpin Recycling Ltd focuses on the reuse and recycling of used tyres. The company came under scrutiny from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) after an incident involving a roadside check in July 2025. An investigation revealed that on 28 separate occasions, vehicles were operated without an inserted driver card, covering a total distance of 3,323 kilometres and involving various drivers. The inquiry also uncovered failures in maintaining complete tachograph and driver card records.

Serious Compliance Failures Identified

The findings outlined in the Commissioner’s written decision indicated that interviews conducted with drivers showcased a concerning lack of understanding regarding the requirements for drivers’ hours. Some drivers even admitted to removing their driver cards to evade the recording of excessive duty time. Investigators concluded that there had been a severe breakdown in record-keeping, driver management, and operational control within the company.

During the public inquiry, it was highlighted that the non-compliance took place between May and August 2025, a time when the operators had largely unregulated and unmanaged drivers. Kingpin Recycling acknowledged the seriousness of these failings and accepted that regulatory action was warranted. The company attributed this period of non-compliance to internal management challenges, although there was contention over the distribution of responsibility between the business and its former managing director. Nevertheless, the operator accepted collective accountability for compliance under its licence.

Measures Taken to Improve Compliance

Dr Stookes noted that once the extent of the issues came to light, Kingpin Recycling initiated significant measures to enhance compliance. This included the appointment of new operational management staff, restructuring of work allocation, an increase in driver training, investment in technology for better oversight, and the organisation of operator licensing training for its directors. Additionally, plans were in place to appoint a dedicated transport manager.

In his ruling, Dr Stookes determined that the company had breached its operator licence obligations regarding drivers’ hours and tachograph compliance, and that there had been a substantial change in circumstances following the intervention by the DVSA.

Future Oversight and Independent Audit Requirement

Despite the serious nature of the non-compliance, the Commissioner concluded that revocation of the licence would be disproportionate, especially considering the improvements made by the operator. He assessed the critical question of whether Kingpin Recycling could be trusted to comply in the future and concluded that it was more likely than not that they would do so.

The operator’s licence has thus been reduced indefinitely from twelve vehicles to six, allowing Kingpin Recycling to focus on achieving and maintaining compliance with a more manageable fleet size. As part of the regulatory outcome, the company is required to commission an independent audit of its transport compliance systems and must continue to work with specialist transport consultants until at least June 2027.

For further information regarding the decision, please visit the Traffic Commissioner Regulatory Decisions page.

For additional details or inquiries, please reach out via email at pressoffice@otc.gov.uk.