Taxi drivers are calling upon Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council to take urgent action as the processing time for taxi license renewals in has increased to an unacceptable level.
Taxi License Procedure
The current system requires all cab drivers to renew their taxi license every three years. The procedure involves running each applicant through an enhanced criminal record check which is completed on behalf of the council by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
“They’re forcing people who haven’t done anything wrong to be out of work for weeks.”
Cabbies Temporarily Suspended
Around 50 drivers in Doncaster have been temporarily suspended with some fearing that the loss of earnings will result in their homes being repossessed.
A petition set up by local cabbie, Jaan Saqlain, has received over 200 signatures. Mr Saqlain commented: “These are people’s livelihoods that are being lost here. They’re forcing people who haven’t done anything wrong to be out of work for weeks.
“I haven’t got any drivers who are suspended at the moment but I’ve got three whose licences are about to run out and I’m expecting they could be waiting for some time.
“We realise that the checks are important but it’s not our fault that the process is taking too long. If this continues we’ll have no choice but to stage a protest to get the council to give us temporary licences.”
Council Response
Typically, it should only take two weeks to complete this process but some drivers in the area have reported a waiting time of over four months.
The law states that all drivers must hold a license in order to operate as a taxi. Therefore drivers are unable to earn a living as the council is forced to suspend dozens of cabbies whilst awaiting results.
Peter Dale, director of regeneration and environment, said: “It’s a condition of every license that the check is carried out every three years. This is so we can make sure drivers are fit to be trusted with the safety and well being of passengers.
“The vast majority of drivers are decent, law abiding people who work very hard to provide a good service to their customers.”
“The current issues being experienced by drivers are due to delays with the DBS processing applications and we’ve made representations with the police because of concerns over people’s livelihoods being affected.
“In response, we’ve started sending out reminders to drivers six months ahead of their DBS renewal date instead of the usual three months.
“The vast majority of drivers are decent, law abiding people who work very hard to provide a good service to their customers but in the past we’ve had instances where drivers have failed to disclose convictions during the period of their license.
“This is simply why we cannot take drivers word for it. Making exceptions or issuing temporary licences to drivers who have not been checked properly would undermine public confidence in the licensing system and potentially put lives at risk.”