Speeding taxi driver cleared to continue working after licence review by Bath & North East Somerset Council
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
A taxi driver has been allowed to continue working after a licensing review by Bath & North East Somerset Council found they were still a fit and proper person to hold a combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver’s licence.
The review, held on 3 April 2025, considered a number of past breaches including undisclosed speeding offences and a previous insurance lapse.
The driver, who has been licensed since 2003, faced scrutiny over their failure to inform the licensing team about a 2023 speeding offence, which is a breach of the conditions attached to the licence. This followed a similar incident in 2016, when the same driver received a one-week licence suspension due to multiple speeding convictions.
At the latest hearing, the driver admitted difficulties with digital systems, which had contributed to delays in communication and paperwork. The committee heard that the driver’s sister has stepped in to assist with online forms and correspondence moving forward. In addition, the driver has now installed a navigation app that audibly alerts them to speed limits.
The committee also considered a gap in public liability insurance cover in 2020 during the pandemic, but accepted the explanation that the vehicle was not in use for hire at the time.
While the panel expressed concern that a previous suspension had not deterred repeat issues, it stopped short of issuing another formal suspension, noting that the driver had already been off the road since their licence expired at the end of February 2025. Instead, the panel granted the renewal and directed the driver to complete a speed awareness course within three months. Failure to do so will lead to the case being referred back to the committee.
The decision carries a warning that any future offences or failure to meet licence conditions could result in revocation.
