Council revokes two taxi driver licences after MOT failure concerns and fare refusals
Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s Licensing Panel has taken decisive action in two separate cases, addressing public safety concerns and taxi driver conduct.
In the first case, a 70-year-old driver from Wellesbourne had his hackney carriage licence revoked after continuing to operate his vehicle despite two MOT failure certificates within an eight-month period. Over 1,300 miles were logged while the vehicle was deemed unfit, posing significant safety risks to passengers, including schoolchildren.
The panel determined the driver was not a “fit and proper person” to hold a licence, citing additional breaches and prior warnings. The driver chose not to appeal the decision and is no longer authorised to drive under the District Council’s jurisdiction.
The second case involved a 52-year-old driver from Stratford-upon-Avon. The panel issued a 28-day suspension following an incident of careless driving in the town centre and the refusal of a fare without reasonable cause. The panel deemed the driver’s actions unsafe for himself and other road users, while also failing to meet professional standards of duty of care.
Both cases highlight the council’s commitment to maintaining safety and professionalism within the local taxi service.
Cllr Lorraine Grocott, Chair of the Licensing Panel, said: "The safety of the public is paramount when passengers are being transported in vehicles licensed by the District Council. The authority has to ensure its drivers are fit and proper to hold a licence and that their vehicles are kept in a safe and roadworthy condition.
"On this occasion, both drivers failed to adhere to the conditions of their licence and subsequently were issued with the respective decisions by the Licensing Panel."
