SWANSEA: Trading Standards secures conviction against company issuing fraudulent HGV medical certificates

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.

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Revealed: The 10 road signs learner drivers are most likely to be quizzed on

Researchers used the DVSA’s Safe Driving for Life e‑learning platform to run thousands of mock tests, analysing which questions came up most frequently. The results show a clear pattern of signs that learners are repeatedly asked to identify.

Below are the 10 most‑asked road signs — with answers moved further down the page to keep the challenge real.

1.

A red triangle with a bicycle symbol.
Scroll down for the answer.
Appeared in 11.9% of mock tests.

2.

A blue rectangular sign showing a bicycle with a vertical line to its right.
Scroll down for the answer.
Appeared in 7.2% of tests.

3.

A blue circular sign showing a bicycle and two pedestrians holding hands. Scroll down for the answer. Appeared in 7.2% of tests.

4.

A blue circular sign showing a number with a red diagonal line through it.
Scroll down for the answer.
Appeared in 6.5% of tests.

5.

A white rectangular sign with a crossed‑out circular symbol and the words “Zone Ends.”
Scroll down for the answer.
Appeared in 5.7% of tests.

6.

An octagonal red sign covered in snow.
Scroll down for the answer.
Appeared in 5.1% of tests.

7.

A red triangular sign showing a car falling from a ledge into water.
Scroll down for the answer.
Appeared in 5% of tests.

8.

A blue rectangular sign with a “P” and a car on a platform.
Scroll down for the answer.
Appeared in 4.9% of tests.

9.

A red triangular sign showing a pedestrian between dashed lines.
Scroll down for the answer.
Appeared in 4.8% of tests.

10.

A red circular sign showing a motorbike above a car.
Scroll down for the answer.
Appeared in 4.8% of tests.

Why these signs matter

Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of Vignetteswitzerland.com, said:

“Across the 3,000 mock tests we ran, we found that users were significantly more likely to be asked about certain road signs than others. For example, users were asked to correctly identify the ‘cycle route ahead’ sign nearly twice as often as any other question.”

He added that while learners should know all road signs, these ten are well worth revising before sitting the real test.

Answers: Most‑asked road signs

1. Cycle route ahead
– Warns road users that there is a cycle route crossing or joining the road ahead.

2. With‑flow cycle lane
– Notifies road users of a dedicated cycle lane that goes in the same direction as the traffic.

3. Route for pedestrians and cyclists
– Notifies road users of a shared path for both pedestrians and cyclists.

4. End of minimum speed
– Notifies road users that the mandatory minimum speed limit shown has ended.

5. End of controlled parking zone
– Notifies road users that specific parking restrictions, such as permits or pay and display, no longer apply beyond this point.

6. Stop
– Tells road users to come to a complete stop before proceeding.

7. Quayside or river bank
– Warns road users of a sharp edge where the road meets water ahead.

8. Vehicles may park fully on the verge or footway
– Notifies road users that in this area vehicles are permitted to park fully on the pavement or verge.

9. Zebra crossing ahead
– Warns road users of a zebra crossing ahead.

10. No motor vehicles
– Motor vehicles, including cars and motorbikes, are not allowed beyond this point.

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BBC News: Driving test touts offer instructors £250 monthly kickbacks - BBC News
BBC News - Driving test touts offer instructors £250 monthly kickbacks - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0k2858jj1o

The DVSA have allowed this to carry on for years, it's shocking.

#dvsa #drivingTests #touts

Swansea man handed record penalty for transporting waste without licence

Leon Medlam, of Long View Road, Clase, Swansea, was fined £1,760 and ordered to pay £4,500 in costs, £150 in compensation, and a £704 victim surcharge — totalling £7,114.

The case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 10 October 2025. Medlam did not attend and was found guilty in his absence.

Joint operation in Llanelli

The prosecution followed a joint day of action on 2 April 2025 in Bynea, Llanelli, where Natural Resources Wales (NRW) worked alongside Dyfed‑Powys Police, Carmarthenshire County Council, and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

The operation targeted vehicles carrying waste to ensure they were properly licensed, helping to prevent illegal dumping and protect the environment.

Medlam was stopped while transporting scrap metal and other controlled waste without a valid licence. He was cautioned and given 10 working days to register with NRW, but despite repeated follow‑ups he failed to comply.

“Clear message” on waste crime

Huwel Manley, NRW’s Head of Operations for South West Wales, said the record penalty underlined the seriousness of waste crime.

“This enforcement outcome sends a clear message: if you transport waste without a valid licence, you will be held accountable. Illegal waste activity harms our environment, undermines responsible businesses, and erodes public trust. Natural Resources Wales will continue to work with partners to crack down on waste crime and protect communities across Wales.”

NRW praised the strong partnership working that made the enforcement possible and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling waste crime.

“These joint operations help protect communities and the environment, while supporting legitimate businesses that follow the rules,” Mr Manley added.

Legal responsibilities

Under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989, businesses that regularly transport waste must be registered as waste carriers. Even if waste is moved infrequently, if it is part of a business’s usual activity, a licence is legally required.

NRW stressed that registering as a waste carrier is a quick and simple process, and holding a valid licence ensures waste is taken to authorised disposal or recycling facilities rather than being fly‑tipped.

Members of the public are also legally required to check that anyone they pay to dispose of waste holds a valid licence. If illegally dumped waste is traced back to its source, the individual who arranged the disposal may also face prosecution and a fine.

#bynea #carmarthenshireCouncil #carmarthenshireCountyCouncil #clase #driverAndVehicleStandardsAgency #dvsa #dyfedPowysPolice #featured #licensedWasteCarrier #longViewRoad #naturalResourcesWales #nrw #recycling #scrap #scrapMetal #swansea #unlicensedWasteCarrier #wasteCarrier

UK #DVSA #MOT data really is top quality 🤣 .

make: 'PEUGEOT',
model: '307',
fuelType: 'Steam',

For the same reg #DVLA say "fuelType": "PETROL" which is sadly more believable.

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It is a good job that I don't need to use my tacho card when doing voluntary driver-work, because if #DVSA saw today's hours on a tacho card they'd have me dragged out into the streets and shot.

Also, said it before and I'll say it again, but bloody tourists need to learn how to use passing places on single track roads before they are allowed to come here. I am not reversing a minibus half a mile up a road because you didn't were scared to reverse fifty feet in your car.

‘They have you over a barrel’: how scammers, touts and bots took over driving tests | Motoring | The Guardian
https://amp.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/jul/04/they-have-you-over-a-barrel-how-scammers-touts-and-bots-took-over-driving-tests

#DrivingTests
#Driving
#WaitingTimes
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#DVSA
#DataProtecion