February 28, 2008
WHO'S GONNA DRIVE YOU HOME TONIGHT?
Council bosses have closed licensing loopholes to stop unscrupulous criminals becoming taxi drivers.They were concerned people with convictions for violence, indecency and alcohol or drug abuse may be able to sneak through the system and get behind the wheel of a minicab.
Now Forest of Dean District Council's licensing committee have brought in new rules which mean every new cabbie has to do a one-hour driving assessment costing £21.
Checks on all applicants will be made with the DVLA to find out if they have any endorsements.
The Forest was the only district in Gloucestershire that did not require people applying for a taxi licence to undergo ability tests.
Anyone wanting to become a cabbie only needed to have held a driving licence, issued anywhere in the European Community, for a year.
Frank Russell, the council's senior licensing officer, told the committee there were flaws in the old system.
He said: "It's suggested that some unscrupulous drivers say they have lost their licences when the DVLA asks for them to be sent in to have points or convictions added.
"When they get the endorsed licence through they continue using the old one which appears clean."
He added: "It would be a good thing for the council to check up on the driving backgrounds of those applying and those of existing drivers where suspicions are raised."
Mr Russell said the driver checks were not expensive, costing £5 a time.
Committee chairman Coun Jane Horne (Con, Tibberton) said: "These are excellent ideas that will bring us in line with the other councils in Gloucestershire.
"It will make sure Forest of Dean taxi drivers are up and together and, hopefully, some of the best in the county."
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=231771&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231775&contentPK=20003289&folderPk=109317&pNodeId=231889
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