Taxi driver banned for a month after being caught on yellow lines three timeshttps://www.nottinghampost.com/news/not ... er-1731293He was banned as part of the penalty points system to improve the standards of driversA cabbie was banned from working after giving "a royal wave" to a council officer who found two bald tyres on his taxi.
The incident took place after he caught in a layby outside the Royal Concert Hall when the nearest taxi rank was full, Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard.
Driver Javed Iqbal said he was planning to do a U-turn and was about to obey the officer's order to move off. But there were other cabs leaving the spot and a bus was coming.
"I was about to move. He didn't give me a chance," said Mr Iqbal, 48, of Langdale Road, Bakersfield. He told the court his taxi recently passed its MoT test but mechanical problems caused the tyres to wear quickly.
Community protection officer James Brough told city magistrates: "I asked him to move and got a royal wave.
"I gave him a chance to go. He moved four or five feet. He didn't want to move out of the layby.
"OK, I said 'I am going to examine your vehicle.' That is what we do," said Mr Brough, who found Mr Iqbal's licence details were not visible.
One tyre's tread was below the legal minimum. Another was slightly better but still under the tread depth allowed on cabs licensed by the council, added Mr Brough.
That led to a £200 fine and three penalty points being put on Iqbal's driving licence. He accepted this but lodged an appeal against the council's decision to suspend his licence for a month because he was caught three times on double yellow lines.
Lucy Jones, who represented him, said the suspension was "disproportionate."
She told the court all drivers - not just cabbies - can stop on the lines to drop off passengers.
"He has got whacked another bit on top. He would be four weeks without income. If that had been a fine imposed by this court, it would be excessive," added Miss Jones.
The court was told that Mr Iqbal's vehicle was seen parked on a road near a school, where residents and teaching staff had raised road safety concerns.
On another occasion he stopped on Beastmarket Hill with no passengers round - and was also caught on Carlton Hill.
Magistrates upheld the four-week suspension, which had been ordered by the council.
Presiding JP Jennifer Cain-Fowkes told him: "It was a proportionate response to the circumstances of your driving history and fitness to be a private hire licence holder."
Sarah Mills, for the Nottingham City Council, told the court the authority had a penalty points system to improve standards among taxi drivers.
"Is he a fit and proper person to be trusted to convey the travelling public? That is the test," added Miss Mills. Mr Iqbal was ordered to pay £500 towards the council's costs.
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and our LO's boast about just how many drivers have lost their badges for failing to complete CSE training or for getting caught speeding etc. etc.