A man has been denied a taxi license after being deemed an unsafe driver.
Buckinghamshire Council successfully defended its decision in court to refuse Mr. Asghar, from Hatters Lane, High Wycombe, a hackney carriage and private hire driver license.
This decision was based on the fact that Mr. Asghar’s driving license had been endorsed with seven penalty points following an incident in November 2020, in which he was charged with driving without due care and attention after a collision with a motorbike in High Wycombe.
The council also took into account Mr. Asghar’s previous license revocation by Wycombe District Council in 2018 due to substandard driving.
Mr. Asghar appealed the decision, but his case was heard at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on September 13, where the appeal was dismissed.
The magistrates ruled that the council had acted correctly in refusing the application, citing its policy.
As a result, Mr. Asghar was ordered to cover Buckinghamshire Council’s legal costs of £2,451.92.
Mark Winn, cabinet member for homelessness and regulatory services, stated: “Buckinghamshire Council expects its licensed drivers to maintain high standards, comply with the law and protect public safety.
“Hackney carriage and private hire drivers are professional drivers charged with the responsibility of carrying the public.
“Any motoring conviction demonstrates a lack of professionalism and applicants with a conviction for a serious motoring offence can expect to have their application refused in line with our policy.”
According to Buckinghamshire Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, applicants with major traffic or vehicle-related offences, including those resulting in injury or property damage, are barred from holding a license for at least seven years.
