
A private hire driver in Bolton has had his licence revoked with immediate effect after racking up 83 complaints, including allegations of sexual comments, threatening violence and demanding extra cash.
The unnamed driver appeared at a private meeting of Bolton Council’s licensing committee at the town hall last month. He was given 15 minutes to put forward his case, which councillors rejected before voting unanimously to strip him of his licence in the interests of public safety.
According to newly released minutes, the allegations were outlined in a report by the council’s director of place, Jon Dyson. Alongside sexual behaviour, aggression and smoking inside his licensed vehicle, the driver was accused of prolonging routes, cancelling trips without good reason and refusing passengers because they had children or luggage with them.
Other complaints alleged he had completed journeys outside the rules of a private hire operator's licence.
The committee minutes noted: “The licence holder had no understanding of the seriousness of this or the risk that his actions were presenting to members of the public. The licence holder held no remorse and failed to take any responsibility for his actions.
"Private hire operators had removed the licence holder from their platforms due to the seriousness of the complaints.”
Documents also revealed that digital evidence contradicted the driver’s version of events regarding two airport trips. While he claimed the passengers had not shown up, GPS tracking and app screenshots supported passenger accounts that the journeys had taken place off the booking system.
Councillor Toby Hewitt proposed revoking the licence immediately, which was seconded by Councillor Andrea Finney.

Between July and September, 168 vehicles were tested in the area. The 19 failures caused the first-time pass rate to drop by nine per cent, falling from 98 per cent in March 2026 to 89 per cent. 

Darragh O’Grady, 31, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday 10 November. Alongside his prison sentence, he was banned from driving for five-and-a-half years

Drivers are demanding reinstatement of spaces following changes by Worcestershire County Council at Edith Walk, the Post Office, and Great Malvern station, where rank markings were painted over.

Arman Saddique, then four days short of his 19th birthday, sped away from police during a routine document check on Otley Road in February this year, triggering a dangerous early-hours pursuit on wet and snowy roads.

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.

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.

“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.
