Taxi Driver Online

Got off pretty lightly here

Never mind, I'm sure he'll be fit and proper again after 28 days


Uninsured private hire driver suspended by Bolton Council

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/26 ... n-council/

A taxi driver was suspended after driving while uninsured, deemed a “major traffic offence” by Bolton Council.

According to newly released documents the unidentified private hire driver had used his vehicle while uninsured against third party risks on October 8 last year.

Minutes from the council’s licencing committee said that the members believed that because of this offence the driver was not a “fit and proper person” to hold a taxi licence for the time being.

The minutes said: “The offence from October 8, 2025 of using a vehicle uninsured against third party risk which is a major traffic offence under the Council’s statement of fitness and suitability.

“Normally a person with such a conviction would have their licence revoked if the offence was within the last three years.

“The driver also failed to declare the above offence in accordance with the conditions of his licence and therefore there is reasonable cause to suspend the licence for a period of four weeks.”

The meeting that stripped the driver of his licence was held at Bolton Town Hall on Tuesday March 31 this year, with the minutes having been published publicly this week.

It was attended behind closed doors by the driver himself as well as committee members, with director of place Jon Dyson setting out the report outlining the driver’s alleged misconduct.

The council and the driver agreed that each would have up to 15 minutes to put their case to the committee before a vote was taken.

Cllr Amy Cowan, of Bromley Cross who has since stepped down at the last local election, moved that the private hire driver be suspended from holding a licence for four weeks.

Cllr Martin Donaghy, of Tonge with the Haulgh seconded the motion to suspend the driver, which was carried by unanimous vote by licencing committee members.

The minutes said: “The motion was declared carried and it was specifically resolved, that the licence to drive a private hire vehicle be suspended for a period of four weeks as the committee do not think that the driver is a fit and proper person to hold a licence at this time.”

Strange way to put it as regards revoking an existing licence. Sounds more appropriate for the fresh grant of a licence?

Madness piece of legislation, that has been buggered up by a number of judgments.

Suspend someone if need be, and I suspect the driver is relieved it's only a 4-week ban.

But the one day 'fit and proper,' next day 'not fit and proper' and in four weeks back to being 'fit and proper', scenario is a complete joke.

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IDFIMH