PENALTY POINTS SCHEME FOR SWINDON CABBIES APPROVED BY LICENSING COMMITTEE

Swindon Borough Council’s licensing committee has approved a new policy which would impose penalty points on drivers for numerous infractions and if enough points are accrued, a review of the driver’s licence could follow.

At the lowest level misusing the vehicle’s horn would attract three points, as would leaving a hackney carriage on the rank leaving a blockage.

Smoking in the taxi would attract six points, as would parking in a rank outside the licensing district and using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

There are some sliding scale offences: poor driving standards, a hackney carriage driver refusing a fare at a rank without good reason, and failing to comply with conditions of the driver, vehicle or operator licence comes in at six to 12 points.

While abusive or improper behaviour could receive three, 12, or any number of points in between.

Licensing manager Jason Kirkwood told the committee: “When a driver has accrued 12 points unless the matter is of such seriousness that an officer decided to suspend their licence, then the officer will consider the best way forward.

“That may be a licensing review which would go to a licensing sub-committee or panel.

“This sort of scheme is being implemented by many licensing authorities across the country. The list of penalties is recommended in the statutory guidance.”

Members of the committee were concerned that drivers should be given a chance to improve and asked about standards of evidence.

Licensing officers assured them that any investigation would need solid evidence to proceed and if a licence is revoked after a subcommittee review that is appealable to a magistrates’ court within 21 days.

The committee voted unanimously to recommend the policy be ratified by the full council in February, and if it is, it will come into force on April 1.

Read another story

NORWICH CABBIE BANNED AFTER LAPSE IN CONCENTRATION CAUSES SERIOUS MOPED CRASH

A 61-year-old Norwich cabbie has been banned from driving after seriously injuring a moped rider in a crash, effectively ending his 40-year career.

HENLEY REGATTA PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER TO PAY OVER £2,000 FOR ILLEGAL RIDES

Muhammad Naeem of High Wycombe was convicted in his absence at Oxfordshire Magistrates' Court on 13 December, after failing to appear.

TAXI DRIVER ARRESTED FOR FAILING CANNABIS TEST DURING COUNTY DURHAM SAFETY CHECKS

The operation, a joint effort between Durham County Council, police, and the DVSA, saw 57 licensed vehicles stopped across Durham City, Darlington, Consett, and Chester-le-Street.

STANSTED AIRPORT TO INTRODUCE BARRIER FREE DROP OFFS WITH ANPR TECHNOLOGY

This new technology, mirroring the successful implementation at the Dartford Crossing, will allow drivers to seamlessly pass through the Express Set Down (ESD) area without the need to stop and pay at a barrier.

COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR HIGHLY REGARDED LAWYER WHO ASSAULTED JERSEY TAXI DRIVER

David Samuel Steenson pleaded guilty to common assault in the Magistrate's Court, admitting to punching the driver, who sustained multiple cuts and bruises to his face.

POLICE AND COUNCIL CRACKDOWN ON ROGUE TAXIS OVER CHRISTMAS IN WREXHAM

Wrexham residents are being warned to be vigilant against unlicensed taxis operating during the festive season, as police and council officials launch a joint crackdown.

EAST SUFFOLK TAXI DRIVER ACQUITTED OF ASSAULTING 80 YEAR OLD MAN IN ROAD RAGE INCIDENT

Nikolaos Boutelis, 61, faced charges of causing actual bodily harm stemming from an incident on March 25, 2022, in Reydon.

12 MONTHS JAIL FOR ST HELENS THUG WHO KICKED CABBIE AND THREATENED HIM WITH ACID ATTACK

Calvin Elliott, 31, from Rainhill, verbally abused and assaulted Ahmed Shebaz after the driver asked him to leave his drinks outside the vehicle.

ANOTHER MAN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF THE MURDER OF A NOTTINGHAM CABBIE 30 YEARS AGO

Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor, 26, known to his friends and family as Shami, was shot dead in his taxi on Tuesday 22 November 1994.

NORTH YORKSHIRE TAXI DRIVERS FEAR NEW RULES COULD DRIVE THEM OUT OF BUSINESS

North Yorkshire Council is revising its hackney carriage policies to increase the availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) and comply with equality legislation.

DERBY PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS FURIOUS OVER UNFAIR BUS LANE RESTRICTION

The drivers argue that the bus gate restriction on Corporation Street is causing them to lose customers and get stuck in unnecessary queues.

ONE DRIVER SUSPENDED AND OTHERS WARNED FOLLOWING TAXI SPOT CHECKS IN NE LINCS

38 drivers were checked, alongside the condition of their vehicle, as well as their licence, insurance, tyres, lights and vehicle tax.

BEDFORD COUNCIL APPROVES SIGNIFICANT RISE IN TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE LICENCE FEES

Despite expressing reluctance, Bedford Borough Council's General Licensing Committee has approved a significant increase in fees for taxi and private hire vehicle licences, effective March 2025.

MID SUSSEX TAXI DRIVERS TO ACCEPT CARD PAYMENTS FOLLOWING COUNCIL DECISION

The decision comes after an eight-week public consultation and aims to address concerns raised by residents regarding the safety and convenience of cash-only transactions.

DAWLISH TAXI FIRM OWNERS NAMED BY TEIGNBRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL AFTER LOSING LICENCES

Michael Miller and Grace Miller, of Grab A Cab, lost their hackney carriage proprietor and driver licences following a series of complaints alleging aggressive and abusive behaviour, threats and intimidation.

£1.6M ASSET REFINANCE DEAL DRIVES GROWTH OF LEADING LONDON EV COMPANY - SHERBET

A leading eco-friendly electric taxi company based in central London is driving forward with its ambitious growth plans and opening a new local community hub, after securing a £1.6m asset refinance deal.

ARGYLL AND BUTE CONSIDERS TAXI FARE HIKE DESPITE LOW OPERATOR RESPONSE

Only eight out of 101 taxi operators across the region responded to the council's consultation on potential fare increases, which ran from October 24 to December 2.

UNLICENSED KINGS LYNN PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER TO PAY OVER £2,000 FOLLOWING UNDERCOVER STING