Threat to cabbies’ licences
Wednesday December 29, 2010
Three cabbies could be stripped of their taxi licences at a hearing next week.
Rules governing taxis mean councils have the power to suspend or revoke licences from drivers of hackney carriages or private hire vehicles if they do not meet certain standards.
Reasons for taking action range from mistakes or problems with formalities to serious incidents, such as allegations of assault.
Sunderland City Council officers have opted to bring three Wearside drivers before a meeting of the authority’s regulatory committee, which makes decisions on such permits.
The three men – known only as Mr WJW, Mr AB and Mr DH – will have their cases heard by councillors on the committee at their meeting on January 5.
The meeting will be held behind closed doors for reasons of confidentiality. It is not known why they have been brought before the committee.
All taxi drivers must have a criminal records check before becoming cabbies. They must also sit tests on the Highway Code, licensing laws and locations and routes throughout the city.
Would-be cabbies must also complete an application form with declarations from a medical practitioner and a solicitor or commissioner for oaths. Once all checks and forms are completed, drivers can then be issued with licences for one or three years.
Source; http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/loca ... _1_2889582