Cabbie caught cheating banned for 12 months

A man applying to be a Three Rivers District Council taxi driver was caught cheating and refused an application by the Licensing team.

The male was one of three drivers taking a local knowledge test in Rickmansworth as part of the authority’s application process on Monday.

Shortly into the exam, a recorded message of a male’s voice was heard by the examiner and the other candidates. The driver had his mobile phone under the table and Googled the address location required for the first question on the test paper. The man’s application has been refused, and he is banned from sitting the knowledge test or reapplying for a driver’s licence for 12 months.

Councillor Steve Drury, Chair of Licensing Committee, said: “Before people are granted a licence, they go through a rigorous screening process, which includes criminal and driving checks. They also have to show basic communication and language skills, literacy, the ability to give the correct change and their local route knowledge.

“These checks are in place to make sure people are who they say they are and so that we know when you get into a taxi, the person sitting in front of you is able to drive you to your destination safely.“

Councillor Roger Seabourne, Lead Member responsible for Community Safety, added: “I want our residents and customers of licensed vehicles in the Three Rivers District to be confident that the drivers are safe to be transporting them, their families and friends. Please use a licensed vehicle because you are then insured otherwise you are probably not insured, and can never be sure who is driving you.”