RUDE or dishonest taxi drivers could face losing their licences if a new get-tough policy is introduced by Blackburn Council.

A penalty points system is planned along with a code of conduct for private hire and hackney drivers and operators.

The aim is to reduce the risk of drivers who are not "fit and proper persons" from getting hold of a taxi licence and to protect customers' rights.

The move follows the council's decision to take into account criminal convictions when deciding whether to grant applications for new licences.

And town hall bosses are hoping the tough new rules will force all cabbies and firms to trade within the law.

A list of 31 breaches has been drawn up by the council as part of the points system.

If drivers collect more than 12 penalty points in a year then they will have to face the council's licensing sub-committee and risk losing their licence. Breaches carry penalties ranging from one point to the maximum of 12.

The most serious offences include failing to display licence plates, carrying more passengers than the legal limit, and failure to wear a driver's badge.

Taxi drivers who do not to tell the town hall about a change in their health or about past criminal convictions also face losing their livelihood.

They will also be penalised for being rude to customers, smoking and playing music without permission.

Overcharging and arriving late for bookings are also on the list of breaches.

Council chiefs took legal advice and looked at similar schemes run in other areas before drawing up the new code of conduct and penalty system.

The suggested system will be debated at a licensing sub-committee meeting on Thursday.

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