Taxi Driver Online

This has been rehashed (or maybe ChatGPTd, or whatever), in several titles. But it all seems sourced from this, which presumably isn't the result of AI, and this is it in the raw from the Lancashire Constabulary Specials Facebook page

But the number of cars stopped isn't stated, no HC/PHV breakdown, nor is there any detail at all about what the 'infractions' were all about, so not much information to assess it all in terms of the grand scheme

But presumably the suspension issues couldn't have been minor if also 'issued with traffic offence reports by police'.

As for the points on the 'taxi permit', that could be for pretty minor stuff like stickers or dress codes, presumably

What advice on the 'legal DBS safeguarding requirements' is given at the roadside, precisely?

This news release has been published by the council this afternoon, and contains a few details about the 'infractions'

As suspected, the points are for pretty small beer...

One or two oddities in here, though, apart from the headline, which takes the vacuity of a lot of this kind of stuff to new levels

Another classic line in here as well - a new one for me in a council spotchecks press release


Taxi safety taken seriously during late night stops

https://theshuttle.org.uk/taxi-safety-t ... ght-stops/

Published Monday 22 December 2025 at 13:47

In an operation undertaken by the council and Lancashire Constabulary, 12 taxi drivers have been reprimanded due to various concerns.

All licensed drivers, whether taxis or private hire need to ensure that they comply with the conditions on their licence, as well as national regulations.

To ensure that those in the borough are taking them seriously, on the evening of Thursday 18 December, Blackburn with Darwen borough council’s licensing team headed out to check the safety of passing vehicles.

The vehicles were either inspected whilst they were moving, or by pulling them over; with two special constables from Lancashire Constabulary.

In the operation, 9 drivers were issued penalty points for licensing infringements, 2 vehicle licences were suspended, and 1 driver was reported for a traffic offence.

Those issued penalty points had breached licensing conditions, including failure to wear a licence badge while working, failure to display council issued insurance signs and failure to display the licence plate securely affixed to the rear of the vehicle. These drivers will now have the opportunity to resolve the issues. If they don’t, further action can be taken by the council.

The two drivers suspended, were not displaying their licence plates appropriately. One was also reported for a traffic offence as they had tied their licence plate with cable ties around their numberplate, which meant that the number plate was obscured. Both suspended vehicles will be unable to be used as licensed vehicles until the licensing team have inspected them again.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment and Resident Services said:

This operation is part of the council’s commitment to ensure that licensed drivers and vehicles are compliant with all regulations and conditions. It offers a clear message to our drivers that public safety is at the forefront of our agenda.

It’s important that these checks are done at all times of day, including late in the evening; and I thank the staff for their dedication to their role, in being willing to work outdoors on a cold winter’s night.

Residents can find out more information on our website as to what they should expect from a licensed driver and vehicle.

So the PHDs got a clean bill of health, or has the council been inconsistent with its terminology within just two sentences?

Not to mention that the advice page linked to at the bottom states: "Although most people call private hire vehicles and hackney carriages ‘taxis’, there are differences in the law about how they can operate."

If you want a good example of how these figures aren't comparable between spotchecks and councils then there it is - not exactly comparable to those pulled in for on-ramp tests

Only three given penalty points according to the earlier Facebook post. And that ealier post gave the impression that both the suspended drivers had been reported for traffic offences.


Must be a fine difference between two of the plate display issues, one of which warranted points, but the other a suspension (not to mention the other one reported by police because the plate was obscuring the number plate).

But apart from issues with displaying badges, plates and stickers, they didn't actually find anything?

The PHTM version (obviously written without the benefit of the press release) says 'serious vehicle infractions' were found. Er, hello?

A lot of huff and puff about virtually nothing, IMO.

Great, the council is out checking, and if they find fault, then clearly it needs sorting.

But let's not make out the trade is failing big time, when it's obvious they are not.

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IDFIMH

so they struggled to find owt major so doubled down on minor infractions yes that does sound like a typical civil servant

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector