Hackney carriage driver BANNED after police unable to trace nominated speeding offender
- Perry Richardson
- 29 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A Teignbridge District Council hackney carriage driver has had his licence revoked with immediate effect following a licensing review that heard allegations of repeated dangerous driving complaints, failures to follow licensing rules and concerns over the nomination of another person for speeding offences.
The Licensing and Regulatory Sub-Committee proceeded with the review despite the driver not attending the hearing or sending a representative. Councillors said the seriousness of the allegations and concerns for public safety meant the case had to continue in the driver’s absence.
According to committee papers, councillors were particularly concerned by the number of dangerous driving complaints linked to the driver and noted the complaints had continued even after intervention from licensing officers. Members concluded there was “no evidence” the driver had changed or improved his behaviour.
Further concerns centred on the driver’s honesty and integrity after speeding offences were allegedly attributed to another individual nominated by the driver. The committee heard police were unable to trace the nominated person, while a French address supplied during enquiries could not be verified or used effectively by officers. Financial checks also reportedly failed to identify any records connected to the nominated driver.
Councillors removed a hackney carriage driver’s licence with immediate effect after raising concerns about public safety, driving conduct and honesty
The Sub-Committee also reviewed repeated breaches relating to taxi signage requirements. Councillors heard the driver had failed on multiple occasions to correctly display signage despite being instructed by licensing officers to rectify the issue. Members said this demonstrated an unwillingness to learn from previous enforcement action or modify behaviour.
Councillors noted the driver had provided little explanation during earlier meetings with licensing officers and appeared to blame other individuals for many of the issues raised. The panel described this as a lack of accountability.
Applying the standard licensing test used across the taxi and private hire sector, the Sub-Committee considered whether they would be comfortable allowing a vulnerable person or someone they cared about to travel alone with the driver. Councillors concluded they would not.
The panel determined there was “significant cause” to show the driver was no longer a fit and proper person to hold a hackney carriage driver licence. The licence was revoked with immediate effect on public safety grounds.
