Regulator Nick Jones gave the warning after a driver conduct hearing on 2 August, when he added an extra month to the professional driving bans of two HGV drivers who were reported for tailgating.
Alan Reynolds and Robert Lloyd, both employees of NR Parsons Transport, were seen tailgating cars on 13 September 2016, while driving HGVs. The incident was witnessed by a traffic examiner from the DVSA.
Jones said: “Tailgating is potentially dangerous in any circumstances, but tailgating in an HGV is especially serious and if brought to the attention of a traffic commissioner, strong albeit proportionate action will be taken.”
DVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn said: “DVSA’s first priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles... I am very supportive of the action taken by the traffic commissioner in this case and the advice he has provided to the industry.”
The agency also reported both men for committing drivers’ hours offences.
Reynolds was prosecuted for 15 offences of knowingly making a false record and was given a six month sentence, suspended for 12 months, by Worcester Crown Court. He is required to undertake 160 hours of unpaid community service, and pay costs and a court surcharge totalling £1790.
After the conduct hearing, the traffic commissioner revoked his licence and disqualified him until March 2019.
Lloyd was convicted of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the making of a false record and fined by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court.
His licence was also revoked, until September 2018.
A third driver, David Clarke, was also convicted of drivers’ hours offences: he is disqualified until May 2018.
Their employer NR Parsons Transport has had its licence curtailed from 16 vehicles and 16 trailers to 12 vehicles and 12 trailers for the months of September, October and November 2017.
The regulator also disqualified transport manager Neil Parsons from holding the position again until he re-qualifies.