From time to time the LO come out generally inspecting vehicles/wearing I.D etc of which I do not have a problem, and other times with police presence a total lights/tyres/general check.

For the second time in three years (pre xmas) I have been stopped "once on the way into work" and the second time a fortnight ago having had the vehicle checked was then required to blow into a breathalyser - again not a problem.

Do you guys have that in your check (the breathalyser)?

Never heard of a breath test before as part of taxi checks.

Seems to amount to a random breathalyser test, which I didn't think was allowed? Don't you have to have committed a moving traffic offence or otherwise suspected of being over the limit before they can do it?

Not sure about the random test but as far as I was aware you only have to be in charge of the vehicle with the keys for them to be able to test you, you don't have to have moved anywhere

Can the Police carry out random breath tests?
The Police only have to show that they reasonably suspect a moving traffic offence or the consumption of alcohol or drugs. Consequently, if there is anything that the Police do not like about the manner in which a vehicle is being driven (ie too fast, too slow, erratically etc) this gives the Police grounds to stop the driver and carry out a breath test. The important issue is the Officer does not have to prove or even "believe" that an offence has occurred, merely that he "suspects" an offence.

Saw a newspaper article as well about police carrying out random stops but then asking drivers if they wanted to do a voluntary breath test.

I wonder if they could draw any inferences if the driver refused to take the test under such circumstances?? Could it give them grounds to 'suspect' an offence, even if there's no other evidence to suggest one?

well this afternoon the police were out doing a speed trap they pulled one of my drivers who was NOT speeding and breathalysed him not surprisingly he was negative