Bid to tighten taxi driver checks (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Bid to tighten taxi driver checks

11:12am Tuesday 8th July 2008 in News By Adam Burling

FOREIGN nationals applying to work as taxi drivers in Wyre Forest will have to undergo stringent checks, if new regulations are enforced.

Wyre Forest District Council’s licensing and environmental committee has proposed that amendments be made to criminal records checks.

The amendments would make it easier to determine if an applicant for a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Drivers’ Licence has the right to live, or work, in the United Kingdom. At present, there is no formal procedure for this.

Under the new guidelines, all applicants would be required to produce a document from the relevant government or embassy from their country of origin.

They must also produce details of any previous convictions or proof that they have none.

Currently, the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers’ Licence application forms do not require applicants to disclose whether they have lived abroad or have any foreign convictions.

The committee’s report stated: “These proposals will improve public safety, particularly for those reliant on public transport.”