Taxi driver appeal dismissed

A Rossendale taxi driver who failed a basic skills, knowledge and conditions test three times has lost his appeal to keep his licence.

Faisal Shahzad, from Manchester, appealed Rossendale Council’s decision to refuse to renew his private hire drivers licence but the appeal was dismissed by Burnley Magistrates Court.

He was ordered to pay costs of £200.

Councillor Steve Hughes, Cabinet member for Communities and Customers at Rossendale Council said:

“The safety of passengers is paramount and the public need to be confident that drivers meet the high standards which are rightly required of them. In Rossendale we have some of the most stringent licensing policies in the country which we started to introduce in 2016.”

Included in the new policies is a requirement that prior to issuing a new licence or renewing an existing licence, all applicants and drivers must sit and pass the Council’s basic skills, knowledge and conditions test. Failure to pass to the test to the Council’s required standard means the licence is not issued or renewed.

Councillor Hughes added:

“We are pleased the court agreed that Mr Shahzad is not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire drivers licence at this time and this sends out a strong message that our robust policies are in place for a reason and if you don’t adhere to them you won’t receive a licence.”