A director whose company issued fraudulent medical certificates as part of HGV licence applications has been convicted following a years-long investigation by Swansea Council Trading Standards.
Andrew Eburne, 51, of Hill Rise, Burbage, Hinckley, was found guilty of operating a fraudulent business through his company Doctors on Wheels Ltd, which provided D4 medical certificates — a legal requirement for anyone applying for an HGV licence.
The investigation was triggered by concerns raised by the DVLA, which had spotted anomalies in certificates being submitted as part of HGV licence applications. Swansea Council Trading Standards worked alongside investigators from across the UK to build the case.
A D4 medical certificate confirms that a driver is physically and mentally fit to operate a heavy goods vehicle. It must be completed by a qualified medical professional — typically a GP or occupational health doctor — and covers eyesight, blood pressure, neurological conditions and a range of other health factors relevant to driving large vehicles safely.
HGV drivers are required to hold a valid D4 certificate when applying for a Group 2 licence, which covers lorries, buses and other large vehicles. The certificates must be renewed periodically as drivers age, with more frequent renewals required for older drivers.
Fraudulent certificates raise serious road safety concerns. An HGV driver who is unfit to drive but holds a falsely obtained licence poses a significant risk to other road users. The weight and size of heavy goods vehicles means that accidents involving them can have catastrophic consequences.
The fraudulent certificates raised the prospect of unfit drivers obtaining HGV licences, with potential consequences for road safety.
Rhys Harries, Swansea Council Trading Standards Team Leader, said the outcome demonstrated the value of close working between agencies. “We were able to show in court that D4 medical certificates were submitted to the DVLA with the intention of them being issued as part of a HGV licence application,” he said.
“Fortunately, due to the expertise shown by the DVLA in spotting these anomalies, along with our own investigation, we prevented this becoming a much more serious issue.”
Harries added that the case underlined the importance of ensuring medical certificates are properly completed by qualified professionals to help keep roads safe.
The DVLA is based in Swansea and is one of the city’s largest employers, responsible for maintaining records on more than 50 million drivers and 40 million vehicles across the UK. The agency’s role in spotting the anomalies that triggered the investigation was described by Trading Standards as central to the successful prosecution.
Anyone with concerns about a business operating unfairly or unlawfully can report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
