Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers in Nuneaton and Bedworth face 'penalty points' for rudeness and unclean vehicles

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/ ... e-27885217

Racking up too many points could lead to a review to decide if they remain ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence

Taxi drivers in Nuneaton and Bedworth face 'penalty points' for rudeness and unclean vehicles. Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council could bring in the points system under changes to its Hackney Carriage, Private Hire Drivers, Operators and Vehicle Proprietor Licensing Policy and Vehicle Licensing Policy.

The system would be used when there is no offence of breach of licence conditions and would replace the current ‘lighter touch’ enforcement actions that are used when complaints are made about drivers' conduct. The council has said: "Individual warnings for minor misdemeanours may not warrant a reconsideration of the driver’s ‘fitness and propriety’ to act as a driver but repeated warnings could result in more formal action."

It has said that using a penalty points scheme would improve the levels of compliance. They say it would not be a ‘punishment’ but a scheme to monitor drivers’ behaviour and conduct over a period to establish whether they remain ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence.

The proposed change would see penalty points given out for a number of misdemeanours such as:

- Private hire drivers parking on ranks
- Hackney Carriage drivers leaving Hackney Carriage Vehicles unattended on ranks
- Failing to notify damage to vehicles within statutory timescales
- Rudeness to customers
- Unnecessary prolongation of journeys
- Unsatisfactory condition of vehicle
- Failing to display badge
- Failing to carry badge in vehicle
- Providing requested documents late and many more

Under the proposed system, points could also be added where drivers are convicted through the courts of some driving offences such as speeding, crossing a red light, bald tyre, using a phone or smoking while driving. If a driver racks up 12 points, they would be referred to the council's licensing committee, who will decide if any action needs to be taken.

The points system is part of a range of changes that are being proposed to the policy. This is set to be discussed by the council's licensing committee during a meeting at the Town Hall on Tuesday, October 17.

A few points for 'using a phone'?

Don't the IoL guidelines say totally barred from holding a licence for a minimum five years, or thereabouts?

Yes and it drives me f***ing mad.

Would a councillor be barred from standing for 5 years if caught using their mobile while driving? Would a licensing officer? Would a police officer? Would a pen pusher from the Institute of Licensing?

Would they f***.

I'm not condoning using your phone while driving, but we need to get some proportionality here.

Hundreds of people die each year due to speeding, but do we say to anyone who has a speeding ticket that they can't hold a license for another five years?

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IDFIMH

If only drivers could do something about that.

Maybe like keeping their cars clean and not being rude.

Is that really so onerous?

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IDFIMH