Torfaen councillors heard there were 20 complaints made against taxi drivers in the county from April 2023 to the end of June 2023.

Information was shared at the council’s licensing committee held on 28 September and the total included both private hire and hackney carriages. Complaints against hackney carriage drivers included claims they were carrying too many passengers and speeding. Two complaints were about vehicles allegedly operating without being licensed. Officers investigated and councillors were told by Claire Howells, the council’s team manager licensing & trading standards, that “advice was provided accordingly”. Officers are currently investigating an allegation that an unlicensed driver had been seen driving a licensed vehicle.

Joint operation with Gwent Police and DVLA

Eighteen vehicles were stopped during a joint operation and a number of drivers were found to be not wearing their identification badge, vehicles without no smoking signs on display and the required 30-day records not being available for inspection. Two drivers were also given advice about the cleanliness of their vehicles.

Driver fined £100 and given three penalty points

A driver was stopped and found to have faulty brake pads and two defective tyres. He was given an on-the-spot fine for £100 and three penalty points.

Two drivers suspended

One driver failed to provide a six-month DBS certificate and had their licence suspended.  The report to councillors said that other driver had their licence suspended “in the interests of public safety” following an allegation to Gwent Police of “inappropriate behaviour.”