Agenda item

Mr Keith David Lewis – PHD116

The Senior Licensing Officer, Andy Fox, introduced the report regarding an application for a review of Mr Keith David Lewis’ Private Hire Driver’s Licence PHD116 which was due for renewal on 8 December 2016.   Mr Lewis had a number of penalty points on his driver’s licence, details of which were outlined in the background papers, and had failed to declare these points to the council in accordance with statutory and policy requirements.   In the light of this, the matter had been brought to committee for members to consider if Mr Lewis remained a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

In response to questions from members, the Officer informed the committee that Mr Lewis had no recollection of the speed he was driving on the three occasions, but that the SP30 fine indicated he was exceeding 30mph.  However as 3-6 points could be given for each offence and given that Mr Lewis was awarded 3 points on each occasion, it could be reasonably assumed that it was less than double the speed limit and not excessively over 30mph.  One member did point out that speed awareness courses were often offered for a first conviction if the speed was not much over the limit.  The Officer advised members that a driver’s licence was suspended at 12 points and that Mr Lewis had 9 points.  The Officer informed members that taxi drivers were reminded via newsletters of the requirement to inform the council of any convictions.   Drivers were also sent a copy of the conditions and a question on this point was in the test that the drivers had to pass and the Officer confirmed that Mr Lewis had correctly answered this question.

Mr Lewis was invited to address the committee and he apologised that it had slipped his mind to report the convictions to the council.  He further denied the allegation that he bragged about this, questioning why he would want to brag about the number of points he had on his licence.

In reply to questions, Mr Lewis informed members that he didn’t have any passengers when caught, that all offences were on transition from a 40mph limit to a 30mph area, one being on the way to Evesham and two being at the Walls roundabout in Gloucester.   He further added that he had been driving since the age of 19 and had been a licensed taxi driver for 3 years.  As all the offences were within a relatively short period of time of 7 months, a member questioned if there was a reason for this, to which Mr Lewis replied that although he had had some personal problems, there was no real reason just bad luck.

A member questioned if Mr Lewis had taken the DVSA driving test and the Officer informed that he had not as the policy to take this test had only changed some 6-8 months ago.  However Mr Lewis had taken the former Road Safety Unit test.

In considering whether Mr Lewis was a fit and proper person to hold such a licence, members were advised that they could add the condition that Mr Lewis complete the DVSA taxi driving test within a specified period of time and also consider issuing a written warning.

Members adjourned at 15.43 to consider the matter and reconvened at 15.58.

The Chair reported that the committee had taken a serious view on this matter, but that as all offences had happened in a relatively short period of time, members were of the opinion to issue a written warning and to ask Mr Lewis to complete the DVSA test.  The Chair read out an amended 1.4.2.

Upon a vote it was 9 for, 0 against.

RESOLVED THAT, Mr Lewis be given a written warning and be required to successfully complete a DVSA taxi driving test within 3 months at his own expense.