Posted on the 5th December 2025 in PHTM News

TORBAY TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE SUSPENDED AFTER 19 COMPLAINTS IN SIX WEEKS

A Torbay taxi driver has had her licence suspended immediately after the council's regulatory sub-committee reviewed a "series of complaints," including concerning CCTV footage of traffic incidents.

The unnamed driver's licence is suspended for three months, though she may return sooner if she completes training.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the committee viewed footage showing the driver "reversing into oncoming traffic at a Torquay taxi rank" and a "near-miss at Paignton railway station."

A licensing officer told councillors that 19 complaints were received between August 18 and September 28 - the most he had "ever seen in such a short time against one driver." 

Other allegations included "sleeping in her cab while on duty, refusing card payments, failing to queue properly, and aggressive behaviour."

The committee decided the suspension was "in the interest of public and customer safety" and concluded the driver was "not currently a fit and proper person to hold a licence."

The driver "denied all accusations and said there had been misunderstandings." 

She claimed other drivers had approached her aggressively and argued there was "no clear signage about permits at Paignton station." She also insisted the CCTV clips did not show anyone being put at risk, noting one incident happened when her cab was empty.

The council report confirmed that councillors "considered whether the complaints were part of a campaign against her but decided they were genuine."


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