Will I get my taxi drivers license with previous criminal offences?

Question

I recently applied for my taxi drivers license and have recieved a letter from my local authority stating that due to having a few previous convictions which occurred around ten years ago apart from one which happened in 2004. I have to sit in front of a committee before my licence being granted.

The most serious of these convictions are

1) Serious assuault and two common assualts

2) Failure to report a minor road accident.

I would like to know if anyone had experienced this or has any knowledge on this?

I have spoken with the Police who have told the council they have no objections at all.

Any info would be great as Im getting a little worried about all this arghh!!!

Answer 1

No you will not get license for taxi

Answer 2

If you're the only applicant you have a chance to talk your way through, but otherwise the committee will all claim their expenses and you will be last in the queue.

They can't reject your application without giving you a hearing , likewise they can't give you a license without a hearing, but they will have already decided the outcome. Makes no difference to them, they are getting paid regardless.

Answer 3

the carriage office will be  able to tell you the answers.

it isn't a help with assault as you will be dealing with people but the road  offence will concern them as  they wont even consider  offering a licence to any driver with as much as 3 points on their license.

that said it never hurts to ask and at least you will then know. drop them a line explaining the convictions,dates etc and ask their advise.

Answer 4

My dad got his driving license with multiple driving offences even as serious as drink driving, but if they are over 10 years old they are not too relevant.  I shouldnt think that any of this should hinder your application for your license. Good luck.

Answer 5

unlikely as though you might be a good chap now, can you be sure that when a drunken git throws up in your cab & tries to leg it you wont smash his teeth in? ... i dont think i could

Answer 6

I don't want to worry you but it might be an issue for the second offence as well as the assault ones - it is also a matter of how you're going to respond to their interview and the outcome of their assessment, as well as what is your beahviour in general.  It depends how much they see you as a risk to the public, don't forget you are going to be dealing with the public and sometimes with more vulnerable passengers.

With all due respect - I wouldn't want to get in a taxi with someone who might asault me if he doesn;t like the colour of my eyes or my hair, etc. Good luck though I hope you have changed and this wouldn't really get in the way.

Answer 7

The panel will if they have any sense decide that the safety of fare paying passengers is of the greater importance, so you will  get turned down.

Answer 8

no and you should'nt get one try woring in a kebab shop.

Answer 9

If you have genuinely given up the booze and can convince them of that you should be OK.    But you can understand the concern, surely, of their not being too easty to give a traxi licence to someone weith a record of drink-fuelled offences.