Bolton Council is taking enforcement action against 74 taxi and private hire drivers who have failed to complete mandatory safeguarding and disability awareness training—six years after the scheme was first introduced.
The council-approved training programme, commissioned in July 2019, was created to raise industry standards and protect vulnerable passengers. It became a requirement for all licensed drivers in the borough—around 1,800 in total.
However, a new report presented to Cllr Hamid Khurram, Executive Cabinet Member for Transport, Highways and Regulatory Services, on Wednesday 16 July, has confirmed that dozens of drivers have still not completed the course.
The report states: “We will shortly be compiling a list of those drivers that have not completed the training and will advise them that a request to suspend their licence until they complete [the training] is being processed.”
Although the programme faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and only moved fully online in 2022, drivers have since had multiple opportunities to take part. Initially offered free of charge, that grace period has now ended.
In response to the enforcement move, the council is working with its training provider to expand availability, including offering sessions during evenings and weekends, in an effort to allow the remaining drivers to comply before suspensions are finalised.
Thanks for visiting DM News! If you’ve got a question, story, or anything you’d like to say, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you! And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
