Taxi operators who failed spot checks at the end of last year are set to be brought before Fife councillors to explain their actions.

Members of Fife Council’s Regulation and Licensing Committee heard that random inspections were carried out over three evenings in November.

In West Fife, 22 checks were undertaken with 15 passes, three drivers receiving verbal warnings for minor infringements, including dirty appearance and vehicle, no ID badge on their person and no fire extinguisher.

Four taxis had their plates removed immediately for faults including warning lights on the dashboard, no fire extinguisher/tyre inflation kit and inoperative roof sign.

Councillors had earlier been told of figures for planned annual inspections which had a 98 per cent pass rate in Glenrothes and a 99 per cent pass rate in West Fife.

In St Andrews and Leuchars, 18 vehicles were checked with only eight passing and seven having their plates removed immediately for faults including warning lights on the dashboard, defective mechanical issues, no fire extinguisher/tyre inflation kit and damaged wheels and oil/coolant leaks.

Two drivers were given verbal warnings for minor infringements while one driver was warned regarding bodywork damage only and given 30 days to have the damage repaired.

In the Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and Leven area, 32 checks took place with 23 passes, two verbal warnings for minor infringements – including vaping in the taxi and no fire extinguisher.

Three drivers were warned about bodywork damage and given 30 days to have the damage repaired while four taxis had plates removed for faults including warning lights on the dashboard, defective mechanical issues, inoperative lights and no fire extinguisher/tyre inflation kit and damaged tyres.

Councillor Darren Watt said the stop check figures “detracted” from the results in the annual inspection reports.

“I think that is absolutely alarming – particularly in the East Fife area,” he said. “At the end of the day, safety is paramount not just for passengers, the driver, other road users and pedestrians as well.

“It is a real worry and I think that is something we need to be on top of.”

Cllr Lea McLelland was also concerned about the spot check results.

“What worries me is when you look at this and there are all these warning lights on. If things like a tyre pressure warning, if you are in poor driving conditions, that could be catastrophic,” she said.

“No fire extinguisher – if you are in a car that is the difference between life and death. It is like someone not caring.”

Tom Brown, Fife Council lead officer for miscellaneous licensing, said discussions were ongoing with taxi operators.

“It is all about creating a culture of learning and education and engaging with taxi companies and getting them to raise their standards,” he said.

“In February there’s a meeting with regular taxi companies and we are going to try and increase a better culture of engagement and promote learning and prevention about it rather than relying on enforcement to raise standards.”

The committee agreed that all operators who had failed spot checks would face an appointment with the committee.

If the licence holder has passed all the annual tests but had failed the spot checks, they will be asked to come up in front of the convener and vice convener of the Regulations and Licensing Committee.

If there have been any previous failures as well as the spot checks – or have had their plates removed – they will be brought in front of the committee where the possible suspension of their licence may be considered.

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