Operator: Ktaurus Ltd (Licence: OF2014453)
Location: Eastern Traffic Area (Cambridge Public Inquiry)
Decision / Publication Date: 9 July 2026
Regulatory Body: Office of the Traffic Commissioner for the East of England
1. Executive Summary
Following a roadside enforcement stop and a subsequent DVSA maintenance investigation, haulage operator Ktaurus Ltd was called to a Public Inquiry. The investigation revealed that a driver had physically removed a dashboard fuse to stop a persistent coolant alarm, inadvertently disabling critical Electronic Braking System (EBS) and dashboard safety warning systems.
Compounded by incomplete workshop records, missing driver defect reports, and unproven financial standing until the last minute, the Traffic Commissioner ruled that the Transport Manager’s repute was severely tarnished and issued an immediate fleet curtailment.
2. Background and Operational Context
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The Fleet: Ktaurus Ltd holds a Standard International Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence authorising 8 vehicles and 8 trailers, primarily moving 44-tonne shipping containers via third-party traction.
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Management Structure: The day-to-day running of the licence was managed by Transport Manager Mr Andris Asermanis. The operator had a history of regulatory intervention, having previously had its licence suspended for 5 days in 2022 due to poor driver hours management and inadequate brake testing.
3. Key Maintenance Failures & Safety Violations
Critical Tyre & Vehicle Security Failures
While the case focused heavily on electrical and braking systems, the DVSA investigation exposed fundamental lapses in routine preventative maintenance at the workshop and driver level:
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Neglected Tyre Pressure Maintenance: During a full facility audit, DVSA Vehicle Examiners discovered that Preventative Maintenance Inspection (PMI) records were not being properly completed. Crucially, logs showed instances where tyre pressures were not checked or recorded at all during scheduled safety inspections.
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Broken Walk-Around Culture: The operator failed to provide daily driver defect reports for the vehicle fleet when requested. The lack of documented pre-drive inspections indicated that drivers were not carrying out effective daily walk-around checks on vital components, including tyres and wheel security.
The Fuse-Removal Incident and Braking Failures
The catalyst for the public inquiry occurred on 7 November 2025, when a vehicle driven by Lukas Noreika was issued an immediate, S-marked (significant failure) roadworthiness Prohibition Notice:
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Braking Safety Disabled: The driver had physically pulled a dashboard fuse because an engine coolant alarm was constantly buzzing (due to an unresolved coolant leak tracking back to September 2025).
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The Consequences: Removing the fuse successfully silenced the buzzer, but it also completely disabled the Electronic Braking System (EBS) warning lamp, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), and the primary braking system warning gauge.
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Dangerous Use: The driver operated the 44-tonne vehicle combination on public roads for approximately an hour with zero visibility over whether his brakes or safety systems were functioning. The driver was issued two Fixed Penalty Notices for dangerous use and missing braking warning devices.
Broader Compliance & Administrative Failures
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Incomplete PMI Sheets: Inspection sheets from contracted workshops routinely lacked formal signatures on safety declarations.
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Missing Brake Tests: A review of past vehicle job cards found instances where mandatory safety brake tests were entirely omitted during PMIs.
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Financial Standing Violations: The operator failed to demonstrate the required average financial standing (£39,500 for 8 vehicles) over a 3-month period, only producing the funds via a late director’s loan right before the inquiry hearing.
4. Outcome and Regulatory Sanctions
The Traffic Commissioner determined that the operator had breached core licence undertakings regarding vehicle roadworthiness, defect reporting, and record-keeping:
| Entity / Driver | Sanction / Penalty Issued |
| Ktaurus Ltd (The Operator) | Licence Curtailed: Authorised fleet reduced by 2 vehicles for a two-week period, with specific registration numbers banned from operating during the penalty window. |
| Mr Andris Asermanis (Transport Manager) | Repute Severely Tarnished: Formally penalized on his professional record for a failure to maintain continuous and effective management. |
| Lukas Noreika (The Driver) | Vocational Entitlement Action: Given 7 days to make written representations as to why his HGV driving entitlement should not be formally suspended. |
5. Key Takeaways for Transport Operators
“The driver removed the fuse… leaving the vehicle operating for approximately an hour with a missing dashboard display… there was little evidence of defects appropriately assessed and repaired.”
— Traffic Commissioner’s Summary of Evidence
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Driver Diagnostics vs. Driver Overrides: Drivers must be explicitly trained that they are never permitted to modify or disable vehicle electronics, fuses, or warning systems to silence alarms. A warning buzzer means the vehicle is defective and must be safely parked.
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Tyre Inflation is Safety Baseline: Omiting tyre pressure checks on PMI sheets is an unacceptable breakdown in basic maintenance tracking. Tyre pressures directly impact commercial vehicle stability, braking distances, and blowout risks under heavy container loads.
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Address the Root Cause, Don’t Just Top Up: Allowing a known defect (like an ongoing coolant leak) to persist for months while merely topping up fluids at inspection intervals invites catastrophic failure and severe regulatory penalties.