A taxi driver has had their licence to drive taxis revoked after driving more than 100 miles after failing an MOT.
He drove his vehicle 110 miles with four major defects and one “do not drive until repaired” dangerous defect — and lied to Bath and North East Somerset Council’s licensing officers about the journey.
As is typical for taxi driver hearings, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s licensing subcommittee heard the taxi driver’s case in a private session, but minutes of the meeting in March have since been published.
The taxi driver — who has not been named — told the committee he took full responsibility, apologised, and was prepared to accept any punishment.
He added that he had no intention to harm anyone, and had family and personal issues at the time of the issues.
He said that after his car had failed the MOT he had taken it back to get it fixed.
Councillors revoked his taxi licence on notice, stating: “Whilst members acknowledged that the Licensee may have had personal and family issues during the relevant period, this is no excuse for neglecting the upkeep and essential repairs of his vehicle in order to ensure the safety of the travelling public.”
The committee also noted that all four of his tyres only had a tread of 2mm — just above the legal minimum of 1.6mm — in May 2022.
But he then drove a further 2,701 miles on those tyres, only replacing them after his car failed its MOT in September 2022.
The taxi driver stated that he had not fully checked the paperwork and had only been using the vehicle for his personal use during this time, but was told by councillors that the car still posed a danger to the public.
By the time it was brought in for its MOT in September, the ply or cords were exposed on one tyre, and another had a cut deep enough to reach them.
The taxi driver had received no complaints from the public during his time as a taxi driver.
He had held his Bath and North East Somerset Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s licence for just under two years.
John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter
