Taxi driver suspended 12-weeks after failing to disclose driving convictions to licensing authority

A licensed Stratford-on-Avon District Council taxi driver has been suspended for a period of 12 weeks by the Licensing Panel.

The decision, made at the end of October, was in response to the driver's failure to report three driving convictions to the Local Authority.

The 74-year-old taxi driver, residing in Honeybourne, neglected to inform the Licensing Authority of the convictions, which resulted in a total of nine penalty points on his licence. The existence of these penalty points only came to light during the driver's application to renew his Dual Driver's licence. The offences occurred between July 2021 and March 2022 - a span of nine months.

According to the District Council's Policy and Conditions for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers, licensed vehicle proprietors are required to promptly notify the council in writing of any conviction, caution, or penalty points incurred. This should be done within seven days of a conviction being imposed.

In addition to reporting convictions, the driver was also obligated to provide the Licensing Department with a DVLA share code every three months. This code allows authorities to verify his driving licence for the accumulation of penalty points throughout the duration of his Dual Driver's licence.

The council noted that this was not the first instance in which the driver has faced the Licensing Panel for similar offences. As such, it was seen as evident that the driver was fully aware of his obligation to disclose any driving convictions.

The driver does have the option to appeal the decision to the Magistrates' Court. Any appeal must be initiated within 21 days of receiving notice of the decision.