Taxi Driver Online

Would be more instructive to include a bit more detail here in the official council press release, but it's more 'safety is paramount'-style blather than detail and substance.

Most obviously, not clear whether the drivers admitted to or were found guilty of committing a criminal offence, although perhaps that's still in the pipeline. But would be nice to know


Taxi drivers have licences revoked after positive roadside drugs test

https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/taxi-drivers ... rugs-test/

Two taxi drivers in North East Lincolnshire have had their licences revoked after a roadside drug test gave a positive reading.

Both drivers were stopped by police – one on 13 December 2022 and the second on 13 January 2023.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s hackney carriage sub-committee heard both cases at Grimsby Town Hall, the first on 25 January 2023 and the second on 22 February 2023.

Committee members voted to revoke the drivers’ licences with immediate effect.

Councillor David Hasthorpe, chair of the licensing and community protection committee, said: “We take these matters very seriously and passenger safety is our top priority. The majority of taxi drivers in our area take their job very seriously and abide by the highest of standards. Anyone risking the safety of their passengers, who appears before the committee, can expect serious consequences.”

Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, added: “People should feel safe when using taxis in the borough and the licensing regime exists to protect the public. The council takes its responsibility for ensuring public safety very seriously and we work with the taxi trade to offer advice and guidance when necessary. Licensing officers work closely with officers from Humberside Police and will take action when drivers are found to be acting in an irresponsible or dangerous manner.”

If you spot a problem with a licensed taxi, you can contact the council. Note the taxi licence number (displayed on the rear of the vehicle, on the side of the vehicle or on the sticker inside the on the front windscreen) and contact the council’s licensing team on licensing@nelincs.gov.uk or call (01472) 324035.

Sounds a wee bit like he's slightly prejudicing any quasi-judicial hearing he's involved in

maybe but to be fair failing a drugs test is usually a guaranteed job loser in almost all professions

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

But did you expect the licensing chair to actually understand the legal licensing process?

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IDFIMH

Would be very surprised if these stoppages weren't intelligence-led.

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IDFIMH

I'm sure Sussex will correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no criminal consequences to failing a roadside drugs test, and any offence or conviction would require further evidence.

So, on the basis of the information provided, in the vast majority of jobs there's nothing to suggest anything at all would happen, nor that any employer would need to know about the roadside test.

Of course, the trade is different, and the criminal standard of proof isn't required for a committee to suspend or revoke a driver.

Which is why it's important that members of these committees are aware of the extent of and limits to their legal powers and responsibilities

Correct, but if the person fails to allow a subsequent blood test to be undertaken they can be done for failing to provide, which is imprisonable.

The police also have the walking straight and touching your nose tests (there is a proper name for it) which can be quite funny when watching it.

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IDFIMH