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Posted on the 6th June 2025 in PHTM News
HUNTINGDONSHIRE CABS UNDER SCRUTINY DRIVERS LOSE LICENCES AMID COMPLAINTS AND DEFECTS
Three taxi drivers in Huntingdonshire have had their licences revoked in recent months, with more than 20 vehicle licences also suspended.
A report presented to councillors on Thursday, June 5, revealed a significant crackdown between March 1 and May 22. During this period, the council took action against nine taxi drivers, 27 taxis, and one operator. Of the 26 suspended vehicle licences, the majority were due to damage or defects, while one vehicle licence was outright revoked following a committee hearing.
Five taxi drivers faced licence suspensions, primarily for overdue medical examinations. More critically, three drivers had their licences revoked – two directly due to public complaints and one after a committee hearing.
A licensing officer noted the high number of vehicle suspensions, explaining: “Obviously the [numbers of] vehicles are quite high, quite a lot of those can be involved with accident damage and obviously we suspend the vehicle.
"At the last meeting I updated to say that when they go for their compliance tests, now we do take into account dangerous defects, as well as major defects, and therefore the vehicle can be suspended for that reason.”
The report also detailed the district's penalty points system for taxi licences, which tracks driver behaviour. One driver has accumulated six points for "aggressive behaviour towards the public."
Officers clarified that the maximum number of points before action is taken varies by licence type: six points for a one-year licence, and 12 for three- or five-year licences, after which a review is triggered.
Councillor Stephen Ferguson welcomed the penalty points system, emphasising its role in addressing public concerns.
He stated: “I think we have all been in the back of a taxi cab where the driver has not perhaps behaved appropriately. I know most of these [issues listed in the report] are down to mechanical failures of the vehicle, but there is one down to aggressive behaviour towards the public.
"You can feel if you complain about it nothing is going to happen, but this is a clear record of how residents' issues with drivers, obviously they are going to be investigated fairly, can lead to negative consequences for the drivers if they don’t behave appropriately.”
The council's robust enforcement actions aim to ensure passenger safety and maintain high standards within Huntingdonshire's taxi and private hire services.
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