Bolton private hire driver suspended after string of offences

A private hire driver has had his licence suspended for 12 weeks after the Licensing Sub-Committee at Bolton Council decided that he was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence at this time after committing a string of offences.

In coming to its decision, the Sub-Committee was made aware of two complaints which were recorded on the driver’s licence. 

The first allegation was an accusation of overcharging a passenger in June 2016.

The second allegation was that the driver had committed a driving offence by performing an illegal U-turn on a public road in April 2018. However, no further action had been taken in respect of either of the complaints. The Sub-Committee also heard that in January 2018 the driver had admitted that he had received the request for information from the police regarding a speeding offence, but had failed to respond to the request as he considered that he had not committed a speeding offence. This resulted in a significant fine and penalty points on his driving licence. The Sub-Committee acknowledged that the conviction had been declared by the driver in accordance with the terms and conditions of his licence. They also expressed concern that the driver had been using the vehicle as a taxi at the time of the speeding incident. The complaint pertaining to the illegal U - turn was also referred to, noting that the manoeuvre, which took place on Bradford Street, was an extremely dangerous one and could have put himself and other members of the public in danger. The committee concluded that there was reasonable cause to suspend the licence as a warning and a deterrent. Image Source: Google Street View