Taxi driver’s licence revoked
Magistrates in Medway have upheld a decision by the council to revoke a taxi driver’s licence in the interests of public safety at an appeal hearing on 26 April 2024.
The driver was appealing the council’s decision to revoke his licence in May 2023 when it was discovered he had not reported important information, including being remanded to prison, to licensing officers. The council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy requires drivers to follow a strict code of conduct and advises them they must disclose significant information which is detailed in the policy.
On learning of the non-disclosure, the council’s Head of Housing, Health and Environment revoked the licence. The revocation was made in the interest of public safety and had immediate effect.
Speaking after the court hearing a member of the council’s Licensing team said: ‘When people get into a taxi, they want to feel safe and therefore, as you would expect, the council holds taxi and private hire drivers to high standards. As this case shows we will take action if drivers licensed by this authority choose to disregard them.’
In upholding the council’s decision magistrates also awarded costs of £3,252 to the council.
