Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation on Licensed Driver Penalty Points Schemes by the Licensing Team Leader and to consider a proposed penalty points scheme for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing.

The Committee received a presentation on Licensed Driver Penalty Points Schemes by the Licensing Team Leader and considered a report regarding a proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Penalty Points Policy.

A penalty points scheme would ensure that minor breaches or misdemeanours were recorded and would identify licence holders whose actions fell short of what was expected or would cause the safety of the public to be undermined.  It would also give licence holders a clear indication of what was expected of them and what action the Council would take in respect of breaches of legislation, conditions, or byelaws, thereby raising compliance within the trade.

RESOLVED – That the Licensing Team Leader be authorised to undertake formal consultation on the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Penalty Points Policy, subject to the following amendments:

(a)    That the number of penalty points to be issued for 9 (Failure to display fare card) be 6.

(b)    That the number of penalty points to be issued for 10 (Failure to carry Driver/Vehicle Conditions in vehicle) be 6.

(c)    That the typographical error in 14 be corrected.

(d)    That the number of penalty points to be issued for 14 (Failure to carry a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle, or fluorescent jacket) be 3 – 6 per item.

(e)    That the number of penalty points to be issued for 27 (Carrying more passengers than stated on the vehicle licence) be 12.

(f)     That the number of penalty points to be issued for 28 (Using a non-approved or non-calibrated taximeter) be 12.

(g)    That the number of penalty points to be issued for 42 (Carrying an offensive weapon in the vehicle) be 9 – 12.

(h)   That the typographical error in 54 be corrected.

(i)     That the trigger for referral of a licence holder to the General Licensing Sub-Committee be the accumulation of 12 or more penalty points in a 12 month rolling period OR 18 or more penalty points in the period during which the licence is held.