Driving up standards - Taxi driver code of conduct / penalty points

The Penalty Points Scheme was introduced in December 2015, with a commitment to review the operation of the scheme after 12 months.

A further consultation took place in December 2016 / January 2017. The consultation covered the penalty points scheme and the code of conduct.

Responses from the public indicate continued concern about driver behaviour. Of 45 responses from members of the public, 31 directly concerned the manner of driving and 5 referred to the overall fitness of drivers for licensing.

There were 12 responses from the trade. They raised issues about stopping places, the use of bus lanes and the behaviour of both drivers and passengers, but no comments on the existing penalty points scheme or any alternatives.

A majority of the public supported a penalty points scheme.  The majority of taxi drivers did not think it was a good idea.

The City Mayor has considered the report and whether the Penalty Points Scheme is meeting its objectives, and whether he is content for the scheme to become a permanent feature in the regulation of the taxi trade in Leicester. He is of the opinion that the Penalty Points Scheme should be retained and further developed to allow Leicester City Council to apply regulatory and enforcement measures in a proportionate way reflecting the risk and harm caused by the misconduct and other contraventions. 

1. The Penalty Points Scheme has been made a permanent arrangement for the Council’s management of standards and conduct within the licenced taxi sector alongside the Code of Conduct.

2. The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services has the authority to make, after consultation with the relevant Assistant Mayor and, as may be required by the Council Constitution,  any other relevant Council committee, such alterations to the Scheme as are likely to facilitate improvement in driver conduct, reduce contraventions and/or improvements in its management and administration.