Wolverhampton private hire driver has licence revoked after refusing to carry an assistance dog

A Wolverhampton private hire driver who refused to carry an assistance dog in his vehicle has had his licence revoked.

Black Country Magistrates dismissed Shamal Hussein Majid’s appeal against City of Wolverhampton Council’s decision to revoke his private hire driver licence.

The Council’s solicitor, Amy Groves, told the court on Friday 23 April how Mr Majid had initially refused to carry a customer with a guide dog from Molineux Stadium on 7 March 2020.

The customer was then advised to put the assistance dog in the boot of the vehicle and told she would be charged an extra £10 in order to clean the vehicle.

When challenged by the customer, Majid later stated that he was allergic to dogs, despite not holding an exemption certificate. He then abandoned the customer, who is registered legally blind, at the roadside and drove away.

After dismissing the appeal, District Judge Wheeler said: “I do not accept your evidence at all. You were making it up when you attended the review hearing in April last year and you are making it up today as you go along. I attach no credibility at all to your evidence.

“Wolverhampton City Council were right to speak to you about this and to conclude that you abandoned the passenger and her guide dog.

“The Council’s decision was not wrong. They reached a reasonable conclusion and their response was appropriate.”

Mr Majid was also ordered to pay the Council £300 towards legal costs.

The Council’s Commercial Regulation Manager, Chris Howell, said: “Leaving a vulnerable person at the side of the road is inexcusable and certainly not the high standard that we expect from our licensed drivers who all undergo disability awareness training to ensure they are aware of their legal obligation to carry assistance dogs at no additional charge.

“Where a driver has a medical condition that would prevent them from carrying assistance dogs, this must be independently verified through medical testing and an exemption certificate is issued.”