Leeds Private Hire Driver Banned for Three Years After Mobile Phone and Tyre Offences

A Leeds private hire driver has reportedly been banned from driving for three years and had his PHV licence revoked after police stopped him following a series of road-safety offences.

Private Hire & Taxi Monthly reported on Monday, 24 August that the incident happened in Harehills while two West Yorkshire Police Special Constables were on patrol.

According to the report, the private hire driver pulled out in front of the police vehicle while using a mobile phone.

The driver was then said to have thrown the phone onto the floor of the vehicle before becoming distracted while attempting to retrieve it, resulting in another near collision with the police car.

Officers stopped the vehicle and reported the driver for using a mobile phone while driving, driving without due care and attention and failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle.

Checks also reportedly found three illegal tyres on the private hire vehicle.

Following court proceedings, the driver was given a three-year driving disqualification and fined £1,492, according to the trade report. His private hire driver licence was also revoked.

The case highlights the potentially serious licensing consequences of motoring offences for professional drivers.

Leeds City Council’s taxi and private hire licensing policy states that driver suitability is assessed with public safety as the priority. Existing licence holders must report motoring convictions, fixed penalties and other relevant enforcement action to the licensing authority.

The council can also suspend or revoke a driver’s licence where it concludes the person is no longer fit and proper to carry passengers.

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Drivers whose taxi or private hire licences are revoked or suspended by Leeds City Council can also have the decision recorded on the National Register of Taxi Licence Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions.

For professional drivers, the consequences of mobile-phone use behind the wheel can therefore extend beyond ordinary penalty points or fines, with a serious incident potentially affecting their ability to continue working in the licensed trade.

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