Hackney Carriage Driver loses appeal after having licence revoked by Council
On 28th August 2024, a Hyndburn man lost his appeal against the revocation of his hackney carriage and private hire drivers licence at Blackburn Magistrates Court.
The Council had revoked both the driver and vehicle licence after a hackney carriage was seized carrying what was suspected to be a quantity of drugs. The driver claimed that he had purchased the vehicle and then given it back to another driver the following day due to some mechanical faults and he had no idea what the vehicle was being used for. However at the time that the vehicle was stopped he was the licensed proprietor of it having signed a declaration stating that he owned the vehicle and producing a bogus new keeper supplement.
The magistrates dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the Council to revoke the licences.
A Council Spokesperson said,
“The priority of the taxi licensing department is to protect the public. The use of licensed vehicles to transport illegal substances or for any other illegal purposes will not be tolerated and the Council will use all the powers it has to ensure that those responsible are brought to task.’
More information about Taxi and Private Hire guidelines, including legislation about licensing matters and the safety requirements of these vehicles, can be found at: https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/taxi-and-private-hire-in-hyndburn/