A BRIDGWATER transport company has been fined after its director drove an HGV more than five years after obtaining his Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

Car Transporter Ltd admitted permitting Sergio Joaquim Claro to drive a Mercedes HGV on the A31 at Ashley Heath, a village near Bournemouth in Dorset, on December 7.

Claro, 51 - who is listed as Car Transporter's director on Companies House - has also been fined after pleading guilty to driving the vehicle over five years after being certified.

Lorry, coach, or bus drivers must complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years to keep their Driver CPC. 

They can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally without one.

Car Transporter Ltd, which is based in King Square, and Claro, of Stringfellow Crescent, Chard, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 18.

Court documents for both the company and Claro's hearings said a barrister or solicitor appeared at Weymouth Magistrates' Court “in absence of (the) defendant”.

The company has been fined £500 and ordered to pay court costs of £624 and a £50 victim surcharge.

The transport company has until June 15 to pay its £1,174 court bill.

Claro has also been fined £500 and told to pay costs of £179 and a £50 surcharge, giving him a total bill of £729 to pay by the same date.