39 taxi and PHV drivers handed warnings by Leeds City Council for accruing 9 or more points

Thirty-nine taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers were warned by Leeds City Council for accruing 9 or more penalty points in 2023, according to an annual council report.

In November 2022, an amendment to the Leeds City Council minor motoring convictions section of the convictions and suitability policy was introduced. Under this policy, revocations for minor motoring convictions are referred to a Licensing Sub Committee. It also required all taxi and private hire drivers attaining 9 or more penalty points on their driving licence to attend additional development training.

In 2023, there were 39 taxi and private hire drivers who attained 9 or more penalty points for minor motoring convictions. These drivers received warnings and or they undertook additional development training. There have been no referrals to the licensing subcommittee since the introduction of this policy.

The report also looks at other policy changes in the last year. One of the principal areas of policy development and consultation in 2023 was a review of the various taxi and private hire vehicle policies and conditions following Draft Best Practice Guidance from The Department for Transport in 2022. The final Best Practice Guidance for vehicles was issued on 17 November 2023.

The Vehicle Condition Review is currently underway with finalisation and new policy planned for summer 2024. As part of the council’s fact finding there has been positive engagement work undertaken which started in June 2023, engagement with elected members, trade unions, the trade, user groups and stakeholders continued throughout the summer and autumn months.