Minutes:
:
a. presented the report which detailed the contents of the complaint made against the Private Hire Driver licence holder
b. explained the concerns of the complainant about the speed and driving manner of the licence holder
c. stated that the licence holder had been interviewed and when shown the photographs of the speedometer and agreed that he had exceeded the speed limit
The Sub-Committee interviewed the licence holder and asked for an explanation of the evening's events. The licence holder stated that although he agreed that the dashboard and speedometer were from his car he hadn't realised he was travelling at the excessive speed that was shown on the photographs. However he was extremely apologetic as this was not his normal behaviour and he was aware that he should not exceed the speed limit at any time. The licence holder promised that nothing would happen like this again and he was concerned that he had upset the customer.
The Sub-Committee questioned the licence holder as to whether he was not only speeding but also whether he was driving angrily or recklessly. The licence holder admitted that he had exceeded the speed limit but denied that he was driving angrily or recklessly. He informed the Sub-Committee that he always treated his passengers and the public with great respect.
The Sub-Committee questioned the licence holder about how long he had been a Private Hire licence holder and what were his normal hours of work. The licence holder responded that he had held a licence since 2010 and there had never been any issues or other complaints made against him. He continued that he started work at 3 - 3.30 in the afternoon and worked through to the early hours of the morning.
The decision was made as follows:
· That the licence be suspended until such time that the driver could attend and pass a driver improvement programme and achieve a low level risk score.
· That the licence holder send a written apology to the complainant.
· A strongly worded letter would be issued which would emphasise the very high standards of safe driving expected from him as a Private Hire Driver, including an expectation that should any traffic violations be committed or any other complaints received these would result in him being brought back before the Sub-Committee.
:
1. The Sub-Committee believed that the licence holder was genuinely apologetic for his behaviour and that the situation that had happened was out of character.
2. The licence holder presented himself well and had a long unblemished record as a Private Hire driver which was taken into consideration. He admitted to the Sub-Committee from the outset that he had exceeded the speed limit. The licence holder volunteered to write a letter of apology to the complainant.
3. The licence holder impressed the Sub-Committee with his openness and honesty about the incident. He convinced the Sub-Committee that he was truly apologetic and that this or anything similar would not happen again as this job was vital to him being able to support his family.
4. Members agreed that the licence holder would benefit from the Driver Improvement Programme which was not available when he started as a Private Hire Driver in 2010, and that he had learnt a lesson by being put under scrutiny by the Sub-Committee.
5. After taking all factors into consideration the Sub-Committee felt that after achieving the low risk of the Driver Improvement Programme the licence holder would be a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Driver's Licence.