
A driver caught using his mobile phone while driving has been granted a taxi licence by Fife councillors, despite his recent motoring offence.
Aaron Keenan appeared before Fife Council’s Regulation and Licensing Committee after applying for the licence, where members weighed up his conduct before coming to a decision.
Lead Licensing Officer Tom Brown informed the committee that Mr Keenan had been caught using his mobile phone behind the wheel in July. Addressing the committee directly, the applicant explained that it was a first offence and expressed deep frustration over the incident.
Mr Keenan admitted that he was using his phone to navigate an unfamiliar area, stating: “I was in Glenrothes going to a friend’s house who had moved house. It had been on my phone to use Google Maps for directions.”
He candidly acknowledged his mistake to the panel, adding: “I was raging at myself for my own silliness. I am not too familiar with the Glenrothes area.”
Following the hearing, the committee agreed to grant Mr Keenan his taxi licence, though they issued him with an official warning regarding his future conduct on the road.

Reading BC had introduced measures requiring all newly licensed vehicles to be ULEV and under five years old, while mandating a Euro 6 emissions rating for all new vehicles from October 2028. 

Jordan McCulloch, 31, from Oxton, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated intentional harassment through words when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, November 10.

“This is why I strongly recommend that drivers install legal cameras in their vehicles."

Dutch taxi platform Robin is introducing an alternative to the traditional commission model in the taxi industry. 

DfT said engagement with the sector has helped shape ongoing policy and informed work on a draft Bill expected to be brought forward for pre-legislative scrutiny during current parliament.

The proposals drew 7 objections from members of the PH trade and a petition signed by 12 HC drivers after the council announced plans to raise renewal costs for both vehicles and drivers.

Jill Donison, 51, from Seaham, came up with the concept while working as a private hire driver and noticing how positively passengers reacted to having a woman behind the wheel.

The push for reform follows data revealing that the council received 89 complaints last year regarding drivers and vehicles licensed by other local authorities. 

The proposals would relax the rules for Category N vehicles, which have non-structural damage, and Category S, which have structural damage but can legally return to the road once repaired.

Leon Gladdis, 29, from Newport, was sentenced at the Isle of Wight Crown Court after admitting a series of dangerous offences across Devon and the Isle of Wight.

Councillors will meet on Wednesday 11 November to decide whether to introduce new licensing conditions requiring the city’s black cab drivers to carry working credit and debit card readers. 

A prominent taxi boss has warned drivers that a single mistake can destroy their livelihood after a major operator lost his licence. 

A big well done to Dara Singh, a driver with Wednesfield Cars in Wolverhampton, who went out of his way to ensure a loyal customer was reunited with his money.

The Telegraph reports that the tax authority has resurrected a dispute with the ride-hailing app concerning how much VAT the company should charge on rides.

Liverpool City Council Enforcement Officers inspected a Sefton-licensed private hire vehicle near Liverpool John Lennon Airport in March.

Post shared on Facebook: “Whoever this Gentleman is. You are a real life angel!!

This year 29 cabbies transported over 40 veterans to and from various remembrance day events across Edinburgh and the Lothians area.

Hundreds of London black cabs lined Westminster Bridge on Sunday 8 November, waiting to take veterans home from the Cenotaph without charging a penny.

The area, located in the Square Mile, was previously restricted to pedestrians, buses,and cyclists between 7am and 7pm on weekdays, with taxis barred from entry.

Tariq Mehmood, 48, of Reading, was found guilty in his absence at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on 16 October 2026.
