Rossendale private hire driver loses appeal to keep licence after failing basic knowledge test three

A private hire driver who failed a basic skills, knowledge and conditions test three times has lost an appeal to renew his licence.

Faisal Shahzad from Manchester, who held a licence in Rossendale, was ordered to pay £200 costs after his failure to overturn Rossendale council's decision not to renew his licence. 

It was reported in the Lancashire Telegraph that Burnley Magistrates Court dismissed the appeal after the court heard how Shahzad had failed to reach the council’s required standard three times.

Councillor Steve Hughes, cabinet member for communities and customers at Rossendale Council, stated that the safety of passengers is paramount, with the public needing to be confident that drivers meet the highest standards. 

New policies were introduced by Rossendale Council in 2016 following criticism over the number of licences being issued in the region. Criticism which included Andrew Gwynne, Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, a nearby constituency telling PoliticsHome: "There’s a local authority, Rossendale, that’s basically handing out taxi licences like sweeties as an income generation scheme."

Part of the new requirements stipulate that prior to issuing a new licence or renewing an existing licence, all applicants and drivers must sit and pass the council’s basic skills, knowledge and conditions test, with failure to pass the test meaning no licence will be issued.

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