Council to suspend 74 drivers for incomplete traininghttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/25 ... -training/Dozens of taxi drivers in Bolton face suspension after failing to complete mandatory safeguarding and disability awareness training, six years after the scheme was first approved.
The programme, commissioned in July 2019 for all licensed drivers in the borough, aimed to improve industry standards and ensure vulnerable passengers are protected.
However, according to a council report, 74 drivers had still not completed the training as of this month. The council is now moving to suspend licences for non-compliance.
Originally delayed by the pandemic, the scheme moved online in 2022 but has faced ongoing setbacks, including cost increases and limited availability of training sessions.
A report presented to the executive cabinet member for transport, highways and regulatory services, Cllr Hamid Khurram, on Wednesday, July 16 confirmed that enforcement action is now being considered.
With around 1,800 drivers subject to the requirement, most have now completed the course.
But the remaining drivers will soon receive a final warning, and the council is working with the training provider to expand available sessions, including evenings and weekends.
Cllr Khurram formally noted the progress report on the training scheme.
The report states: “We will shortly be compiling a list of those drivers that have not completed the training.
“We will be contacting them to advise that a request to suspend their licence until they complete is being processed.”
The training is designed to help drivers identify safeguarding concerns and better assist disabled passengers.
The council had previously offered the course free of charge, but that period has now expired.
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