Tewkesbury introduces rolling three-year penalty points system for taxi and private hire licences

# What changed Tewkesbury Borough Council brought a formal penalty points scheme for taxi and private hire licence holders into force on 28 September 2026. The council approved the policy on 2 September after consulting licensed drivers, private hire operators and the public. The scheme lets officers record points for lower-level breaches instead of treating every minor incident as an isolated compliance matter.

# How the system works Points are recorded against a licence and remain active for a rolling three-year period. If a driver, vehicle proprietor or private hire operator accumulates 12 points during that period the council will refer the case to the Licensing Sub-Committee to review whether the person remains fit and proper to hold the licence.

Reaching 12 points does not automatically remove a licence. The Sub-Committee will consider the facts, circumstances and any explanations before deciding whether suspension, revocation, another sanction or no further action is appropriate. Licence holders have the right to appeal points to the Licensing Team Leader.

Before issuing points the council requires sufficient evidence to prove the alleged offence or breach. The policy requires written confirmation of points to be sent to the affected licence holder within five working days.

# Who can be sanctioned Responsibility for recorded points can extend beyond the driver. Depending on circumstances points may be issued to the driver, the vehicle proprietor, the private hire operator, or a combination of those parties. When one person holds multiple roles (for example driver and proprietor) only one set of points will be issued for each identified offence or breach.

# Sample point values in the published schedule The council has published a schedule assigning points according to the nature and seriousness of breaches. Examples included in the schedule are:

• 3 points for improperly sounding a vehicle horn while collecting or waiting for a passenger.
• 4 points for refusing a hackney carriage fare without reasonable cause.
• 4 points for failing to report an accident within the required period.
• 6 points for smoking, or allowing smoking, in a licensed vehicle.
• 6 points for carrying more passengers than the vehicle is licensed for.

The number of points applied depends on the breach and where it falls in the schedule.

# Geographic scope and enforcement The policy states points may be imposed regardless of where the non-compliance occurred. Tewkesbury-licensed drivers and operators cannot assume conduct outside the borough is outside the scheme.

The penalty points regime does not replace the council's existing enforcement powers. Officers will continue to assess each case and can take formal action when an offence or breach warrants a stronger response.

# Context Similar penalty points arrangements are already operating in neighbouring licensing areas including Gloucester and Cheltenham. The council says the scheme is intended to give officers a faster, proportionate response to minor non-compliance and to identify licence holders who repeatedly breach licensing requirements.

# What licence holders should do now Licence holders should review the council's published points schedule, keep records of incidents and communications, and use the appeal route to the Licensing Team Leader if they dispute points. Those operating across council boundaries should be aware that Tewkesbury's policy applies even when alleged breaches occurred outside the borough.