COUNCILLORS have taken the next step on a controversial 'penalty points' system for taxi drivers that could see filling in a form incorrectly on the same level as carrying a weapon in a cab.
Like the driving licence 'totting up' procedure, a cabbie racking up 12 points would face a ban.
At a meeting this week, drivers' leaders branded the idea unfair and warned more enforcement was the answer to rogue cabbies.
But Kirklees Council
's licensing committee agreed to set up a working party to examine the idea in more detail.
They also want a 'stars on the cars' project which rewards good drivers and operators.
The proposals drawn up by council officers, cite 30 'offences' in order of seriousness.
Five 12-point breaches are included – such as driving without licence and insurance. These would trigger a month-long suspension.
Eight items carry a six-point tariff and these include carrying an offensive weapon in a taxi or using a non-approved meter.
The rules would cover both private hire and Hackney carriage drivers
Coun Adrian Murphy (Con, Kirkburton) said: "Many cabbies are good drivers who do what they are supposed to do. Action is for the rogues who give them a bad name."
The working party will include taxi drivers and operators, officers and councillors and will also consider the 'stars' idea.
Amjad Nadeem, vice-chairman of Kirklees Hackney Carriage Association, said: "We would want a guarantee of proper consultation on this. Many drivers think it would be unfair. This scheme is not the answer. We need more checks on drivers."
Head of planning Jonathan Barrett said: "That's not going to happen at a time when the council is considering major cutbacks."
