Taxi drivers barred in Dudley after offences, revoked licences and false Uber documents
Private hire drivers need approval from councillors and amazingly some in Dudley want to continue working without a vailid driving licence.
Local authorities issue licences for taxi drivers and committees of councillors meet regularly to consider applications.
Minutes of Dudley’s Taxis Committee give an insight into some of the more incredible applications including from people who seem to believe they can operate a cab – despite being unable to legally drive.
The committee meets behind closed doors to protect the identity of applicants but a look back through records of this year’s meetings tells the tales of why people have failed to be deemed ‘fit and proper’ to become licensed taxi drivers.
In March a person identified as SM was the subject of a licence review which found not only had his driving licence been revoked but he had failed to declare an ongoing case at Birmingham Magistrates Court.
Councillors did not accept his explanation and his taxi licence was revoked ‘in the interests of public safety’.
In April, another individual, referred to as AA had his private hire driver’s licence revoked after ‘taking into account AA’s numerous offences, his failure to declare those offences, and his Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) licence being revoked’.
In September driver SB had his private hire driver’s licence revoked after his drivers licence was suspended and ‘numerous offences’ were put before the committee.
In February an application from driver AM was rejected after it was found he had previous convictions, including dishonesty, and he had failed to declare the offences on his application form.
AM’s explanation did not impress councillors who decided he was not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire licence.
In July councillors concluded a driver referred to as MAR was not suitable to hold a private hire driver’s licence after he failed to explain his ‘inappropriate conduct towards female passengers and plying for hire’.
Also in July councillors found driver YM should not be allowed to renew his private hire driver’s licence in the interests of public safety after he committed a serious offence by submitting false documents to Uber.
Throughout the year, after review, a number of other drivers were allowed to retain their licences but given stern warnings about their future behaviour.
