Rother taxi drivers may have to follow new rules

On Monday (January 12), Rother District Council’s Licensing and General Purposes committee is due to consider whether or not to back revisions to a penalty point scheme covering the area’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire trade.

The changes set new ways drivers can be given penalty points and new restrictions include vaping in vehicles, as well as parking on pavements and/or disabled bays.

The revised scheme would also see drivers penalised for deliberately driving away from a taxi rank while a passenger with assistance needs is approaching. This behaviour would carry a six point penalty.

Any driver or operator who accrues more than 11 points would be referred to a council licensing panel, which would consider whether further disciplinary action is required.

If given the committee’s backing, the proposed scheme would be expected to be put to a full council vote at a subsequent meeting.