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Taxi drivers in Basingstoke could be given penalty points

TAXI drivers in Basingstoke could face new tougher licensing measures as the borough council looks to introduce a new ‘penalty points system’.

The borough council’s licensing committee discussed the new proposals on Monday, which would see licensed private vehicle drivers in Basingstoke given penalty points for breaches of licensing conditions or legislation.

If a driver is given 12 points in a year, their license could be reviewed by the council.

As part of the tightening of the council’s private hire license policy, it is also introducing a six-month DBS check for all drivers, which looks at a person’s criminal history.

The check would also apply to proprietors of private vehicles as well as staff working in call centres.

Council officer Robert Draper told councillors that the new penalty points system “offers us another tier of enforcement”.

He added: “You can accrue up to 12 penalty points in any 12-month period. If you reach the magic number, you make an appearance before a sub-committee. They will decide whether you remain a fit and proper person. There’s no instant justice…This is about us putting drivers in front of yourselves to make a judgement.”

The points system would apply to Hackney carriages, private hire and private hire operators.

Cllr Tony Jones questioned some of the points allocated for different breaches, suggesting that charging more than the fare displayed should be a higher penalty than four points, adding: “If someone overcharges, it’s pretty bad I would say.”

Mr Draper said the suggested points could be “tweaked” before being agreed.

A report prepared for the meeting said: “The council aims to ensure that drivers, operators and vehicles licensed within the borough conduct their business to the highest standards and can be held to account for their performance.”

The new system would allow officers to give disciplinary measures which could include a verbal warning, written warning, penalty points or suspension or revocation of a licence.

Points range from four to 12, with four points given for breaches including parking in contravention of parking restrictions and unnecessarily prolonging a journey. The worst offences would be given 12 points, which includes plying for hire.

Other breaches include abusive or un-cooperative behaviour, which would be given six points, and using a licensed vehicle without a valid compliance certificate, which would also be given six points.

The committee agreed for the proposals to go to consultation.

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IDFIMH

So pi**ing off a civil servant is viewed as being as serious as operating a vehicle without the required safety certificate?

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IDFIMH