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Posted on the 5th February 2025 in PHTM News
BUCKS COUNCIL SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON TAXI DRIVER BANS FOR CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS
Buckinghamshire Council has launched a public consultation on which criminal convictions should disqualify individuals from becoming or remaining licensed taxi drivers.
Residents are being asked to comment on a range of offences, from weapons convictions and sexual crimes to offences against children and vulnerable adults.
The council is seeking public opinion on whether it should refuse licences to individuals on the sex offenders’ register, those convicted of criminal harassment, and those whose crimes resulted in the death of another person.
The consultation offers respondents a scale of options, from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree," along with a "don't know" option.
The consultation, which began at the end of January and runs until March 9, is accessible on the council's website: https://shorturl.at/n593o
It follows the release of updated licensing guidance in November and builds upon the council's hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy, introduced in 2021 to regulate taxis and private hire vehicles across Buckinghamshire.
"A taxi or private hire driver is directly responsible for the safety of their passengers and other road users," the council stated. "They are also in a position of significant control over their passengers, who may be alone or vulnerable. This means that any criminal convictions will weigh heavily against a licence being granted or retained.”
The council's policy also addresses "criminal behaviour" that doesn't result in a conviction, and for many single convictions, a licence will only be granted after a specified waiting period.
Beyond serious offences, the survey also explores public opinion on licensing drivers with drug and motoring offences, "regulatory non-compliance," and "unacceptable behaviour."
The consultation comes after a recent surge in taxi driver licence application rejections. In the 12 months leading up to September 30, 2024, the council refused 53 applications, more than double the 20 refusals in the previous year.
Common reasons for rejection included motoring offences such as driving without insurance and using a mobile phone while driving, as well as more serious offences such as sex offenses, drug-related crimes, and knife possession.
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