Carlisle taxi driver [sic] must re-take test after being caught using mobile phone
Thursday, 10 February 2011
A Carlisle private-hire car driver who has twice been caught using a mobile phone at the wheel has been ordered to re-sit the taxi driving test.
Stephen Oliphant, 62, of Aglionby, was first spotted in December 2007 when he was issued with a fixed-penalty notice and three points on his driving licence.
He was caught again in February last year.
On both occasions he failed to notify Carlisle City Council within seven days as he is supposed to.
The offences came to light only when he renewed his taxi licence.
Mr Oliphant appeared before the council’s regulatory panel yesterday.
Councillors decided against revoking or suspending his licence.
But panel chairman David Morton said: “We are asking the licensing manager to issue a stern letter of warning and require you to take the Driving Standards Agency [taxi] test within 26 weeks.
“If you fail to pass your licence will be automatically revoked.”
Mr Oliphant told councillors that his failure to report the offences had been an “oversight”.
He said: “In the first instance I was in a queue of traffic and the phone rang.
“I answered because I knew it was the office. I was spotted and owned up to it. It was a pure oversight not reporting it.
“There were no passengers in the vehicle.
“The last occasion I was in my van, I checked my phone and there was a message. Why I put it to my ear I don’t know because I wasn’t making a call.
“As for not reporting it, I had my wife and mother in hospital and there was a lot going on in my mind. I can assure you this will not happen again.”
Source; http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/carli ... rPath=news
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