Story by: MAGGIE GIBSON TAXI drivers and operators who breach licensing conditions could be issued with penalty points by Fenland District Council. A maximum number of points accrued in a set period would mean an appearance before the council s licensing

Story by: MAGGIE GIBSON

TAXI drivers and operators who breach licensing conditions could be issued with penalty points by Fenland District Council.

A maximum number of points accrued in a set period would mean an appearance before the council's licensing committee which could lead to suspension or licences being revoked.

The penalty point system is just one recommendation being put before the licensing committee on Friday. Current conditions regulating the private hire and Hackney carriage trade are outdated and do not represent best practice, members will be told.

A licensing authority has the power to set criteria for the applications of licences and to add reasonable conditions to licences.

Breaches of licensing conditions are now dealt with by written or verbal advice, an official caution, and court proceedings or at the council's licensing committee.

A report to the committee said: "It is felt that this system is not totally effective in dealing with repeat offenders for minor vehicle defects and breaches of licence conditions as no one event is sufficient to warrant a substantive penalty.

"A penalty point scheme is proposed as an alternative system that would be more effective against those drivers, proprietors and operators who see fit to ignore their responsibilities in relation to the conditions attached to their licences."

Another change could be the creation of a unified licence for drivers. Drivers now need two licences to drive both Hackney carriage and private hire vehicles. A single status licensed driver would give both drivers and operators greater flexibility.