Taxi drivers could face a five year ban if caught driving while using a mobile phone and a seven year ban for discrimination under strict new rules due to come into force in Sefton.
It could be among a series of measures due to be introduced by Sefton Council which could also see drivers prevented from driving taxis for other new offences, while the length of bans currently in place for a series of convictions would be extended.
The new Revised Licensed Driver Convictions Policy will be discussed by councillors next Monday (11th March 2024).
Proposals have been put forward to extend bans for other convictions such as drink driving or driving under the influence of drugs from 2 to 5 years to 7 years, or offences involving violence against the person from 3 to 10 years to 10 years.
Contained within the standards is a revised driver convictions policy which covers the following: Crimes resulting in death (not to be licensed – already in current policy)
Exploitation (new offence – not to be licensed)
Offences involving violence against the person (10 years disqualification – currently between 3 to 10 years)
Possession of a weapon (7 years – currently 3 to 5 years)
Sexual offences (not to be licensed – already in current policy)
Dishonesty (7 years – currently 3 to 5 years)
Drugs (10 years for supply, 5 years for possession – already in current policy)
Discrimination (new offence – 7 years)
Motoring convictions (no disqualification periods specified – same as current policy)
Drink driving / driving under the influence of drugs (7 years – currently 2 to 5 years)
Using a hand held device whilst driving (new offence – 5 years)
A decision must be taken by councils after guidance was issued by The Department for Transport (DfT) on Statutory Taxis and Private Hire Vehicle Standards.
In a report, Sefton Council said: “Whilst the focus of the statutory standards is on protecting children and vulnerable adults, all passengers will benefit from the recommended changes to the convictions policy contained in it”.
Two Hackney and private hire representatives will share their concerns about the proposals with councillors after submitting petitions asking to speak.
The council report says: “The Council is responsible for licensing hackney carriage and private hire drivers, vehicles, and private hire operators.
“The Council’s current convictions policy already covers most of the offences included in the new standards but disqualification periods will be generally increased for all offences. New offences relating to exploitation, discrimination and using a handheld device whilst driving have been introduced.
“All members of the Liverpool City Region authorities have been working to standardise conditions across the region for many years.
“Currently, Wirral, Liverpool & Knowsley have introduced the changes to their convictions policies brought about by the statutory standards without amendment. St Helens & Sefton are in the process of introducing them whilst Halton has yet to start the process.
“Under drink driving / driving under the influence of drugs, the following has been added: ‘Any driver that fails a Police roadside or other test for drink or drugs will have their licence revoked.’ “Consultation with trade representatives has taken place between December 2023 to February 2024. Although most of the changes and minor amendments have been agreed, some of the trade disagree with the introduction of the handheld device conviction (and subsequent 5 year disqualification) and have also suggested revisions to cover testing of blood samples taken by the Police following a roadside stop that results in no further action.
”The recommendations to be implemented unless there is a compelling local reason not to and there is a risk that the Council could be open to challenge if the new statutory guidance is not followed without sufficient justification.
“Adhering to the new statutory guidance will mitigate against any challenge to the Council’s licensing regime. Failure to adopt the recommendations without good reason could put children and vulnerable adults at risk of harm should the Council not have in place a recognised robust regime of testing the fitness of those working in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire industry.”
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