Sussex wrote:
Vale of Glamorgan taxi driver rules set to be relaxed
TOUGH regulations covering Vale of Glamorgan taxi drivers who have committed minor driving offence are set to be eased. Councillors meet next week to discuss a recommendation to amend regulations on the “the treatment of convictions, cautions and charges” for taxi drivers in the Vale.
Currently, members of the Vale council’s licensing committee have full discretion to decide if a taxi driver is a “fit and proper person” to hold Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licences, or Private Hire Operator Licences.
If a taxi driver builds up nine penalty points on their licence, he or she has to go before the licensing committee. In his report to next week’s licensing committee meeting, Peter Evans, the council’s legal director, says: “Members have seen an increase in numbers of those drivers having to attend the committee in respect of this matter.”
He recommends the amendment be made so that warning letters are sent out rather than obliging offending taxi drivers to go before the committee.
Mr Evans says: “There is no judicially approved test of fitness and propriety, and accordingly, a number of local tests have been developed throughout Wales and England. These tend to be based on a test which asks: Would you allow your son or daughter, spouse or partner, mother or father, grandson or granddaughter or any other person for whom you care, to get into the vehicle with this person alone?”
Meanwhile, councillors will also look at regulations on the age and mileage of taxis which are allowed to be on the road.
I dont actually agree with this.
CC