Taxi Driver Online

As Sussex often points out (but which I usually forget), when reading that a council has revoked a certain number of badges, it may be due to medical stuff rather than naughtiness, or whatever.

But certainly no mistaking what this revocation here is all about.

And another hold-the-front-page moment from the Ipswich Star - imagine if everything like this was reported by the press

And it kind of makes it sound like the Government convening a COBRA meeting over a terrorist attack, or whatever

Bad news for the driver, obviously. But not particularly newsworthy in terms of the press and public interest, I'd say...or, at least, not by the standards of the UK local press in the round.


Ipswich taxi driver immediately stripped of licence

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/2595 ... d-licence/

An Ipswich taxi driver has been stripped of their licence with immediate effect after informing Ipswich Borough Council of a medical condition.

The council were forced to immediately suspend the driver's licence with the medical condition rendering them unfit to meet Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) requirements.

Council officers consulted with the chair of licensing and regulatory committee on the issue but ultimately no other options were considered.

Taxi drivers in the UK must meet DVLA Group 2 medical standards, which are stricter than those for regular drivers because they are responsible for public safety and include conditions such as epilepsy, neurological conditions, diabetes, heart and brain problems.

Living with these conditions does not automatically disqualify drivers but they must meet well-controlled criteria.

Earlier this month, another Ipswich taxi driver was stripped of their licence after the council received a 'serious allegation'.

Similarly no alternative action was considered but to strip the driver of their licence.

Ipswich Borough Council declined to reveal the nature of the allegation in their report or to this paper.

A bit misleading anyway, since the DVLA has no remit as regards taxi driver licences, other than the normal UK car driving licences. I mean, nothing to suggest he's lost his DVLA licence. And if he has, then the whole thing above is basically making the council's remit seem like a mountain when it's actually a molehill, if he couldn't drive a motor car anyway.


Pardon the pun, but that explanation is a bit lame...

I mean, which driver on the roads *isn't* responsible for public safety? Presumably that's why every driver needs a DVLA licence in the first place

I can't believe that the newspaper is reporting that a person, whom no one knows, is a tad poorly.

The bloke informed the council that he was poorly, and the council had no other option.

So exactly what is the public interest in this?

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IDFIMH