Bucks taxi applicant refused licence due to poor driving standard

Mr Asghar of Hatters Lane, High Wycombe had his driving licence endorsed with 7 penalty points for an offence of driving without due care and attention following a collision with a motorbike in High Wycombe in November 2020.

Following careful review of Mr Asghar’s application and historic information, including a previous revocation from Wycombe District Council in 2018 for poor driving standards, Buckinghamshire Council refused his hackney carriage and private hire driver licence application.

Mr Asghar chose to appeal this decision, and the case was heard at Wycombe Magistrates on Friday 13 September 2024.

Magistrates found that the council was correct to make the decision to refuse the application based on its policy and so Mr Asghar’s appeal was dismissed.

Mr Asghar was ordered to pay Buckinghamshire Council’s costs of £2,451.92.

Mark Winn, Cabinet Member for Homelessness and Regulatory Service, said:

“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.”

Under Buckinghamshire Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, applicants with a major traffic or vehicle related offence, such as one that has resulted in injury to any person or damage to any property (including vehicles), is not permitted to hold a licence for a minimum of seven years.