Taxi and private hire drivers in West Lothian could be forced to undergo drug testing, after a report highlighted at the latest licensing committee meeting revealed a number of complaints from the public.
A wide-ranging report was ordered by West Lothian Council late last year, seven years after the last time taxi and private hire rules had been looked at.
The report said: 'Over the last few months the licensing team have received a number of complaints from members of the public and others within the hire car trade alleging that drivers are using drugs.'
The issue was brought to the table as members discussed introducing tests to confirm new private hire driver applicants who have previously been convicted for using drugs are no longer using.
Members expressed the desire to be able to send some applicants for drug testing before a new licence is granted.
West Lothian’s Managing Solicitor for Licensing said: “If the council introduced such a policy there would need to be a change to the hire car conditions to provide for that.
“It is recommended that consultation be undertaken regarding the introduction of a drug testing policy for hire car drivers.”
Any changes to taxi and private hire rules would have to be agreed by the council’s executive.
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