A milk delivery service has been slapped with a record £759,000 fine for repeated overloading and defective vehicle offences.
Starling Distribution Services Limited was ordered to pay the sum following a hearing at Bristol Magistrates’ Court this month.
The dairy distributor’s vehicles had previously been found overloaded or with dangerous defects on multiple occasions, but continued to operate in a dangerous manner, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said.
Starling Distribution Services was first prosecuted as part of the DVSA’s Operation Milkman in August 2023, and fined £204,660.
However, the company continued to reoffend, leading to further convictions in November 2023 and August 2024.
In the latest hearing, the court heard how the government enforcement agency stopped three of the operator’s vehicles in August 2024 and then again in February 2025.
The routine inspections found that one vehicle exceeded the maximum permitted limit by 44%, weighing 5,040kg instead of 3,500kg.
A second vehicle was found to be 1,080kg, 30.9% over the upper limit.
In addition, it was reported to have significant roadworthiness issues, including braking defects and inoperative direction indicators.
The vehicle’s condition was also deemed to pose a danger to road users, and an immediate prohibition was issued.
“Operators who think they can continually flout the rules will face the full force of the law, as demonstrated by the success of this prosecution,” said Marian Kitson, DVSA director of enforcement.
“There is no excuse for vehicle operators who fail to comply and put the safety of other road users at risk.”
Starling Distribution Services was ordered to pay a total of £759,000. This comprised a total fine of £750,000, a victim surcharge of £6,000, and costs of £3,000.
Two drivers were also prosecuted and issued smaller fines and costs.
Kitson said the DVSA’s priority was to protect everyone from unsafe vehicles and drivers.
“We target operators who try to undercut the competition by cutting corners on safety or using the wrong type of vehicle.”
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