Taxi Driver Online

Can't be bothered looking back, but isn't this the one where the comparison was drawn between the document here and the Harry Potter books because of its length?

Anyway, I'd guess this is just scratching the surface, both in terms of reporting, and in terms of the stuff that councillors thought worth addressing...

And not sure why the press here is highlighting the particular angle it does

But most interesting thing here possibly the comments by the 'head of public protection' here, as per the thread title above (which maybe doesn't encapsulate what he said too well )


Call to force banned Luton taxi and private hire drivers to resit test defeated at council

https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/polit ... il-6358693

A call for private hire and taxi drivers in Luton to resit a test, if disqualified from driving, was defeated in a vote by borough councillors.

Amendments to a new taxi and private hire licensing policy for Luton were being considered by the local authority’s administration and regulation committee.

Best practice guidance issued by the government prompted the council to update its policy, making it easier to read and understand in the process.

The seven-part policy document has been discussed in detail with the taxi trade, councillors and council officers, while being designed to reflect the key elements introduced in the national statutory standards, the committee heard previously.

The policy is presented in full with some amendments based on feedback from the licensed trade and other consultees, said the fresh report.

LBC’s head of public protection Tony Ireland told the committee: “This is an updated policy document based on new statutory standards provided and the recent Department of Transport best practice guidance.

“The idea is for the entire regime to be fit and proper, whether you’re a driver, an operator or owner, given the service they’re providing or the information they’re collating,” he explained.

“Where a company hires out 50 vehicles to individuals, the firm will be required to complete a basic disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. The whole purpose is safeguarding passengers and public safety.

“One of the gaps that emerged has been the fact there’ve been no checks in the past on the people who own the vehicles. Possible amendments raised by councillors previously concerned service maintenance records, so we’ve clarified the wording on the conditions around that.

“Two key points from the trade were regarding certificates of good character and information around any receipts issued to passengers. We’ll make it clear on the reference for tinted windows that it’s manufacturer fitted windows. We also talked about the statutory standard for totting up on the DVLA licence.

“On the statutory standards for the totting up procedure, there’s no change from our current policy of two years under the rehabilitation of offenders and then three years clear. That’s five years from the date of conviction.

“The trade has been fully engaged with this process. It’s what’s been laid down by the Department of Transport and is what our ministers expect local authorities to adopt because of the safeguarding.

“There’s no other job where someone can control your actions, so you get in a vehicle and they can take you anywhere,” he added.

“These minimum standards are quite high in comparison to a bus driver, who transports a number of people.

“I can’t even think a police officer would have the same level of control as a private hire or Hackney Carriage driver.”

Liberal Democrat Sundon Park councillor Clive Mead asked whether the local authority should make it compulsory to retake a test, after a driver is disqualified.

Mr Ireland replied: “For our own purposes, we could insist disqualified drivers take a practical test to show their competence.”

But Labour Farley councillor Mahmood Hussain said drivers have suffered already for five years because of the punishment, and the committee voted two in favour and five against adopting that suggestion.

Councillors approved the amended policy and delegations to LBC’s head of public protection to update this document, before its renewal in five years time.

Oh, aye?

Maybe Jackanory rather than Harry Potter...