Taxi Driver Online

Derby Evening Telegraph

August 10, 2006 Thursday

HEADLINE: Grieving cabbie left jobless by missing licence deadline

BYLINE: MELISSA BECK

A taxi driver who missed his licence renewal date because of his mother's death said he has been left unemployed because Derby City Council refused to give him a badge.

Mohammed Ashraf knew his licence was due to expire on Friday, July 21, and planned to renew it with the authority's licensing team. But a week before the expiration date, his mother, Farzand Begum, suffered a brain haemorrhage and was admitted to Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.

Mr Ashraf, of Shalfleet Drive, Alvaston, stayed by his mother's bedside, but she passed away on July 20. Her funeral took place the following day, causing Mr Ashraf to miss his final chance to renew the licence. The 39-year-old said he visited the council's licensing team on Monday, July 24, but was told that he could not renew his licence and would have to reapply. To obtain a licence, taxi drivers must undergo a Criminal Record Bureau check and a medical examination, which can take up to eight weeks. Drivers must renew their licence once a year.

Mr Ashraf, who lives with his partner, has been a taxi driver for eight years and now works for Western Cars, based near The Spot, in Osmaston Road. Without a licence, he is unable to work and said he cannot wait eight weeks for a new one. He is losing about £200 a week because he is unable to drive.

Mr Ashraf said: "I knew my badge was up for renewal, but when my mum fell ill and then passed away, I forgot about it because I had so many other things on my mind. "I went the following Monday and explained my situation to the licensing office, but they wouldn't look at it on grounds of compassion and rejected my form.

"I didn't reapply for a badge because I'm hoping to change their minds so I can get back to work straight away. "I hoped they'd refer my case, or at least think about it, but it was a flat 'no'. "I know I was a few days late, but it was a very upsetting time for me and my family and I'd no idea they would refuse to renew my licence."

A city council spokeswoman said: "We send reminders that licences are going to run out four to six weeks in advance. "Drivers can renew at any time from receiving these reminders to the date their licence expires. "Unfortunately, once a licence has expired, we're obliged to treat it as a new application.

"With this particular case, we did see if we could find any way round the problem because we sympathise with Mr Ashraf, but we couldn't make an exception and we'll have to treat his case as a new application."

mbeck@derby telegraph.co.uk
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They can make an exception, they have just chosen not to.

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IDFIMH

Exactly!!!!


Forgive me for my french but who the f**k do these pricks think they are?

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

Our council is like that I know a couple of local drivers who missed deadlines and had to come off the road untill their application was sorted but why leave it untill the last minute we usually get our renewal forms 6 to 8 weeks before due date.( our council likes to grab the money as early as poss)

Why not push the council for 3 year badges it seems a lot of faff renewing every year CRB lasts 3 years

Which brings us back to the elusive gov best practise guidance, yet again.

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IDFIMH

He wants to get all his family into the licence office and stay there, and get them totally thick stupid bar-stewards to look after them, get the papers involved and his MP that's what I would do,
The guy had more than enough on his plate to think about re applying for his licence on time
Why are the rest of the drivers not helping him they should have a protest and get things changed the ass wipes should not be allowed to get away with this one

It would be more than their "jobsworth" to issue a license to a driver who allowed it to lapse. No point in having petty rules, (like a particular shade of yellow) if you don't adhere to them ridgidly.

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Former taxi driver

How about a nice level playing field from Lands End to John O Groats, 3 year badges, 10 year car licences, equal fares and HACKNEY licences for all. He he he he.

Now you ARE dreaming.

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Former taxi driver

My life is one big dream Jimbo since packing up driving for a living.

I think you are being a bit harsh on Mr Ashraf, his Mum's just died you know.

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Former taxi driver