Should a criminal conviction prevent people becoming taxi drivers? Kirklees Council lay down new guidelines Tough new rules over who can drive taxis in Huddersfield are on the way.
A debate about what convictions should restrict a bid to become a taxi driver has led to the new policy.
Kirklees Licensing and Safety Committee approved a policy which sets out how long after a conviction the council will grant a taxi driver’s badge.
Taxi drivers with nine points on their licence will now be suspended until they take a Driving Standards Agency test.
The case of Penistone-based footballer Ched Evans, convicted of rape, was discussed with one councillor questioning precedent if he’s allowed to return to the pitch immediately after serving sentence.
Catherine Walter, Kirklees Licensing manager, said: “We have to consider what is appropriate, fit and proper for a badge to be given to drive a Hackney or private hire vehicle. Until recently we’ve only had a circular from the Home Office dating back to 1992, which is well out of date and no longer fit for purpose.”
Much of the debate focused on what Kirklees should do if a taxi drivers gets nine points on his/her licence.
Clr Mumtaz Hussain, Licensing chairman and Dewsbury West Labour, said: “I think it’s too harsh to suspend everyone once they get nine points until they take a test.
“They will lose their livelihood while they wait for a test date, sometimes people make mistakes and it’s harsh to take them off the road.”
Clr Christine Iredale, Golcar Lib Dem, said: “I think we should consider this on a case by case basis and merit rather than having a strict policy.”
But Clr David Ridgway, Colne Valley Lib Dem, disagreed: “We are talking here about professional drivers, they make a living in the public arena and the public demand a driver who acts within the law and is safe.
“If they have nine points on their licence they are not driving within the law and I think it is perfectly reasonable to suspend them until they can demonstrate they can act within the law.”
Clr Erin Hill, Crosland Moor and Netherton Labour, added: “Nine points is repeated breaking of the law. Personally I wouldn’t feel safe in a taxi, particularly if I was in a vulnerable position or drunk, getting into a taxi with someone who has broken the law.
“The problem is it takes so long to get a DSA test.”
Clr Derek Hardcastle, Kirkburton Green, said: “When people get a taxi they don’t get the choice of who is driving it. It is up to us to make sure that person is safe.
“If the public knew which taxi drivers had points on their licence they’d avoid getting into the car.”
Clr Ridgway raised the case of footballer Ched Evans, a convicted rapist due to be released from prison with a question mark over his future at Sheffield United.
A petition, signed by more than 145,000 people, has been launched to urge United and the Football Association to ban him from the game.
Clr Ridgway added: “Like the footballer, these people work in the public arena and if they commit an offence which is abhorrent to every balanced person, I feel there are reasonable arguments to ensure that a licence in these circumstances is not issued.”
Police do inform Kirklees if a taxi driver is arrested. However that only works if police are aware of the occupation of a person they arrest.
The new Kirklees policy includes:
Rape; sexual offences involving young/vulnerable people; trafficking for sexual exploitation; possession of indecent images of children: Application normally refused.
Sexual assault; indecent assault; exploitation for prostitution: Applicant should be free of conviction for at least 10 years/three years after sentence has ended, whichever is longer.
Indecent exposure; kerb crawling: Applicant should be free of conviction for at least three years/three years after sentence has ended, whichever is longer.
No-one on the sex offenders register will be granted a taxi licence.
Murder; manslaughter; terrorism: Unless there are exceptional circumstances a licence will not normally be granted.
Arson; GBH; robbery; possession of a firearm; riot; police assault; racially aggravated assault; violent disorder: Application refused if conviction is less than ten years old.
Racially aggravated criminal damage/offences: Application refused if conviction is less than five years old.
Common assault: affray, public order offences; criminal damage: Application refused if conviction is less than three years old.
Causing death by dangerous driving; death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs: Applicant must be free of conviction for seven years/three years after sentence has ended, whichever is longer.
Causing death by careless driving; disqualified/unqualified drivers causing death by dangerous driving: Applicant should be free of conviction for 3 years/three years after sentence has ended, whichever is longer.
Other: possession of a weapon; drink driving; theft; burglary; fraud; handling or receiving stolen goods, will usually require applicant to be free of conviction for three years.
Drugs: The nature and quantity of drugs will be considered, but applicant will need to be free of conviction for three-five years.
source:
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yor ... le-7941019
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