Dual licensed taxi driver REFUSED licence renewal after crashing cab whilst using phone with passenger onboard
- Perry Richardson
- Oct 3
- 2 min read
A hackney carriage and private hire driver has had his dual licence renewal refused following a licensing committee hearing into his driving history and conduct.
The driver, who has been licensed with the Stockton-on-Tees Council authority since 2016, faced the General Licensing Committee on 23 April 2025 after presenting a DVLA check code with ten live penalty points and being the subject of a complaint about a road traffic collision earlier in March.
The DVLA points included six for failing to provide driver details in June 2024 and four for exceeding a 30mph speed limit in October 2023. During questioning, the driver admitted the speeding offence but argued that he had not received correspondence for the other matter and said he was appealing. He also admitted using a device to check journey data during the incident that led to the complaint but denied being distracted.
The collision involved the driver’s taxi and another motorist on Crooks Barn Lane, Norton. The complainant alleged that the driver had been looking at his mobile phone before striking his vehicle, trapping him inside and requiring hospital treatment. The complainant stated that the driver initially apologised but later denied responsibility.
The driver’s representative argued that the collision may have been caused by the road layout and that the other motorist could have cut the corner. He also highlighted that some convictions were under appeal and that the driver admitted to speeding offences but disputed the charge of failing to provide information.
After hearing evidence, the committee concluded that the complainant’s account was more credible and raised serious concerns about the driver’s repeated offences, failure to notify the authority of penalty points, and past warnings. Members agreed that they could not consider him a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
The committee unanimously resolved to refuse the renewal application, stating that holding a licence is a privilege and not a right, and that public safety must take priority.
