Request ID: FOI-0501-2223 Date published: 30 June 2022
You asked
1) The number of Private Hire drivers that have had their licenses revoked for the 12 month period ending May 31
2) The reasons for these revocations .
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0501-2223
Thank you for your request received on 2 June 2022 asking for information about private hire driver licence revocations.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked for:
1) The number of Private Hire drivers that have had their licenses revoked in the 12 months ending May 31, 2022 2) The reasons for these revocations
In this period 2,178 private hire driver licences were revoked details of which are provided in the table below.
Revocation Reasons
PHV
Age-Related Medical (not returned)
842
Medical (does not meet Group 2)
269
Dishonesty
407
Driving Disqualification - Drink/Drug Driving
60
Driving Disqualification – Other
244
Sexual Offences – Serious
110
Sexual Offences – Other
81
Complaints - Abuse/behaviour towards passenger (non-sexual)
Approximately 60 per cent of revocations in this period have been due to the licence holder not meeting, or providing evidence that they meet, DVLA Group 2 medical standards of fitness. The remaining revocations within this period were for a variety of reasons, following a review of the driver’s fitness to hold a licence.
To ensure the safety of the travelling public, taxi and private hire drivers must meet a range of criteria to ensure they meet the medical requirements for licensing and are of good character. These are assessed according to the DVLA group 2 medical standards on fitness to drive, and on the basis of an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. We also consider information provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and any other information that comes to our attention, including disclosures received from the police.
Where we are notified by the police of an allegation regarding a Transport for London licensed taxi or private hire driver we will assess whether there is a risk to public safety.
We may suspend a driver's licence prior to a charge or conviction, if we believe the individual is not 'fit and proper' based on the initial evidence. The driver will remain suspended until we receive the results of the police investigation and any court outcomes. A further decision would then be made on the driver’s licence upon conclusion of the investigation or any court proceedings.
In some cases, we may revoke a driver's licence, irrespective of the results of the police investigation and subsequent court proceedings.
Please note that the information provided is subject to change given the outcome of any legal proceedings.
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
