21 taxi drivers in Leeds 'have excess points'

Cabbies struck off amid complaints

Twenty-one taxi drivers in Leeds are still operating despite having 12 or more points on their licences, Leeds City Council figures show.

Now the authority is to consider introducing extra training for drivers who are over the disqualification threshold.

Statistics revealed one driver had 20 points for offences including driving without insurance.

Others received points for speeding and driving while using a mobile.

Councillor Javaid Akhtar, of the Professional Drivers of Yorkshire Private Hire Car Association, said: "Twenty points is too many.

"If you're carrying people in your vehicle, they want to be absolutely sure the service provider is providing the best service for the customer."

The council will decide next week whether to start a three month consultation on revising their motoring convictions policy.

Possible changes include imposing further training for taxi drivers who have avoided disqualification by claiming "exceptional hardship".

Mike Utting, from the Leeds Joint Taxi Council and Streamline Cabs, said accumulating points was a danger for professional drivers.

He said: "We do have drivers that have points on their licences. I think it's just one of those things. If you are driving so many miles a lot of people are bound to get points on their licence.

"I think any form of training if someone has 12 points is a good thing."

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-25680879

Councillor Javaid Akhtar, of the Professional Drivers of Yorkshire Private Hire Car Association, said: "Twenty points is too many.

Grateful for that reminder, so what are you going to do about it?