Taxi Driver Online

Penalty points schemes

5.36 Some local authorities have introduced penalty points systems as a means of taking non-statutory enforcement action against drivers, vehicle owners and operators who are in breach of the licence conditions.

The purpose of such systems is to work alongside other enforcement options and provide a record of the licence holder’s behaviour and conduct.

Such schemes also have the potential to make enforcement both more effective and more proportionate.

For example, we are aware of such schemes in Rossendale, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00f0rf8 (last visited 23 April 2012);

Epsom, http://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/NR/rdonly ... sSheme.pdf (last visited 23 April 2012)

Worcester, http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/505 ... ty_points/ (last visited 23 April 2012).


5.37 Currently the only real sanction licensing officers possess is the suspension or revocation of a licence. This may be rather draconian in some instances. By adopting a penalty points scheme, the licensing authority can call the driver, vehicle owner or operator to account for more minor breaches, whilst having a structure in place which allows for more severe sanctions in the case of multiple breaches. An example of such a scheme can be found on the website of Charnwood Borough Council.


5.38 We note that the legality of such schemes is currently being challenged on the basis that local authorities lack the power to create such a scheme. Permission to seek judicial review was granted by the Administrative Court at Cardiff on 13 February 2012.

5.39 In the next chapter we consider the procedures for hearings and appeals against decisions made by licensing authorities.

See http://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/licen ... re_drivers (last visited 23 April 2012).

R (on the application of Singh and Supatax Ltd v Cardiff City Council CO/10807/2011.

our council just wasn't interested in objections they polughed on with it regardless

I believe peterborough introduced theirs nearly 20 years ago perhaps they should look at their experience

in the LC report for a better word its says that a council is being reviewed about it Points policy, as that been head yet by the court.

I have mixed views on penalty points, and penalty fines.

Yes they are draconian, but would it have been better if they had been available and issue by the nutcase council where Nidge works, in relation to the lads being suspended for double parking?