A milk delivery company repeatedly ignored vehicle safety rules, racking up a record-breaking £759,000 fine as a result. Yes, you read that right. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued its biggest ever fine with this record-breaking penalty.
What Actually Happened?
Starling Distribution Services, a dairy distribution company, repeatedly overloaded its light goods vehicles (LGVs) and operated vans with serious defects such as faulty brakes and broken indicators. In some cases, the company overloaded vehicles by more than 40%, endangering other road users.
Despite receiving a £204,660 fine in 2023 during DVSA’s Operation Milkman, Starling Distribution Services continued to break the law, resulting in further convictions in 2023, 2024, and again in 2025—ultimately leading to this record-breaking penalty.
DVSA officials said the company deliberately avoided using HGVs, which are more tightly regulated, to save money and gain a commercial edge. That decision backfired badly.
Why Is Overloading Such a Big Deal?
Overloaded vehicles are harder to control, more likely to crash, and cause extra wear on roads and tyres. It’s not just illegal, it’s dangerous.
Here’s what inspectors found:
- One van weighed 5,040kg – nearly 1.5 tonnes over the 3,500kg legal limit
- Another was 30.86% over the limit and had brake and lighting faults
- DVSA issued an immediate prohibition for unsafe conditions
This wasn’t just a paperwork issue. These vans were serious hazards on the road.
How Can You Avoid This?
Running a safe, compliant fleet doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are simple steps every fleet operator should follow:
Do Regular Vehicle Checks
Inspections before each journey are crucial. Train your drivers to spot common issues like:
- Tyre wear
- Lights and indicators
- Load weight and distribution
- Brake response
Use Tools Like the Van Driver Toolkit
We highly recommend the Van Driver Toolkit from Driving for Better Business (DfBB). It’s packed with checklists, guides, and resources to help keep your vans safe, legal, and efficient.
Partner With a Driver Management Service
Services like FSGB Driver Management help you keep on top of compliance, vehicle checks, training, and more. This reduces your risk of accidents, penalties, and downtime.
Fleet Service GB’s driver management platform also ensures issues get reported and resolved quickly, before they become expensive problems.
FAQs About Van Overloading and Fleet Compliance
What is the maximum weight for a van in the UK?
The legal Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) for most LGVs is 3,500kg. Going over that can lead to fines, bans, and worse if it’s unsafe.
What happens if a van is overloaded?
You could face hefty fines, points on your licence, prohibition notices, or even court if it’s serious or repeated.
Who is responsible for an overloaded vehicle?
Both the driver and the operator can be held responsible. That’s why regular checks and proper training matter.
Why should I switch to HGVs for heavier loads?
HGVs are designed for heavy loads and come with stricter regulation to ensure safety. Trying to carry heavy goods like milk in an LGV is risky and often illegal.
FAQs About Fleet Service GB
What does Fleet Service GB do?
Fleet Service GB helps businesses manage their fleets safely and efficiently. They offer driver management tools, maintenance tracking, accident support, and more.
How does FSGB Driver Management improve compliance?
With regular vehicle checks, recording driver feedback, and flagging issues early. This means problems get sorted before they lead to fines or breakdowns.
Final Thoughts
This record-breaking fine isn’t just a headline, it’s a wake-up call for fleet operators across the UK. Ignoring rules to cut corners can lead to massive costs and serious risks.
Use the tools available to you, do regular checks, and partner with a trusted fleet management provider like Fleet Service GB. It’s not just about compliance, it’s about keeping your team and the public safe.
