Strict tests for foreign national taxi drivers

8:00pm Wednesday 6th August 2008

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FOREIGN nationals applying to work as taxi drivers in Wyre Forest will have to undergo stringent checks if new regulations are enforced.

During a meeting last month Wyre Forest District Council’s licensing and environmental committee approved amendments to be made to criminal records checks.

The committee has recommended the full council pass the new regulations at a meeting in September.

The amendments would make it easier to determine if an applicant for a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Drivers’ Licence has the right to live, or work in the United Kingdom. At present, there is no formal procedure for this.

Under the new guidelines, all applicants would be required to produce a document from the relevant government or embassy from their country of origin.

They must also produce details of any previous convictions or proof that they have none.

Currently, the application forms do not require applicants to disclose whether they have lived abroad or have any foreign convictions.

The committee’s report stated: “These proposals will improve public safety.”