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Posted on the 7th March 2025 in PHTM News
GLASGOW CAB DRIVERS LICENCE SUSPENDED AFTER GUIDE DOG REFUSAL
A Glasgow private hire driver has had his licence suspended for a month after refusing to transport a guide dog, citing an allergy he later admitted he no longer had.
Javid Iqbal faced the city's licensing and regulatory committee on 5 March, where the incident from last November was reviewed.
The committee heard that Mr Iqbal initially refused to take the assistance animal, claiming an allergy. "He told the customer he had an allergy when he arrived for a pick-up," the committee heard.
Mr Iqbal further defended his actions by stating the guide dog was "not wearing a jacket at the time."
However, Committee chair, Alex Wilson, dismissed this justification, stating firmly: "it didn't matter whether the dog had a jacket on or not."
Crucially, when asked by Councillor Wilson to provide documentation of a medical exemption, Mr Iqbal admitted he had no certificate and further revealed, "he no longer had the allergy."
Under UK law, all licensed cab drivers are obligated to transport assistance dogs unless they possess a valid exemption certificate.
Mr Iqbal only agreed to transport the dog after being threatened with a report to the taxi and private hire enforcement unit.
The committee, after hearing the complaint, opted for a one-month suspension of his licence, with Councillor Sean Ferguson dissenting.
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