Taxi Driver Online

DVLA Checks for Fylde

Taxi passengers are soon to get added assurance that their driver is safe after councillors agreed on extra DVLA checks.

Members of Fylde Council’s Public Protection Committee heard last week (22 February) that a driving licence loophole meant that cabbies could carry on driving despite having lost their driving licence.

The trick is triggered if and when cabbies say they have lost their driving licence and ask the DVLA for a replacement. If they subsequently accrue penalty points for driving offences – or even a ban – they can then produce the clean “lost” licence to Fylde Council which issues taxi permits.

Councillor Cheryl Little, Fylde Council cabinet member for Social Wellbeing, said: “I don’t think anyone has deceived in Fylde but it is a definite loophole. Fylde Council has a duty of care to ensure that any every cab licence holder has a valid driving licence. If they haven’t they are driving illegally

“We have always checked the licence before issuing taxi permits but we haven’t been able to check if it contains the very latest information.

“Changes in technology mean we can now make electronic checks with the DVLA through the Government Secure Network.

“It means that passengers can relax, knowing that their driver is actually licensed to drive. The risk is theoretical – but we know it has happened elsewhere in the country.”

The £4.95 cost of the electronic check will be charged to the applicant for the taxi permit.

http://www.fylde.gov.uk/news/2013/feb/270213taxis/

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin