London’s Taxi Drivers Face More Bans Due to 20mph Speed Limits

Why New Speed Limits Are Causing Problems

Across London and other cities, more roads now have 20mph speed limits. This change is meant to make streets safer, but it’s also causing issues for taxi drivers. The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) warns that many drivers are at risk of losing their licenses for six months because they’re getting too many speeding tickets.

Easy to Accidentally Speed

Steve McNamara from the LTDA explains that on roads that used to be 30 or 40mph, it’s now simple for a taxi to creep up to 24mph without realizing it. He says drivers often end up with three, six, or even nine points on their licenses, and the number hitting the dangerous 12-point mark is growing fast.

What “Totting Up” Means for Drivers

In the UK, if you collect 12 or more penalty points within three years, you automatically get a driving ban for at least six months. This is called “totting up.” Drivers can try to argue “exceptional hardship” to avoid the ban, but it’s very hard to prove.

Legal Help Is in High Demand

The LTDA’s legal team used to handle only a few of these cases each year. Now, they’re dealing with two or three every week. Many drivers with nine points get official notices telling them to appear in court for a possible disqualification.

What Is “Exceptional Hardship”?

This argument shows that a driving ban would cause serious problems beyond normal inconvenience, especially for people who depend on the driver, like family or customers. McNamara says the bar is incredibly high, and most courts reject these claims. But with the LTDA’s expert lawyers, members have a better chance of getting a shorter ban or no ban at all.

A Real-Life Win

One LTDA member tried to handle his own case after reaching 12 points and got a six-month ban. He then asked the LTDA for help. Even though they usually don’t fund appeals they didn’t start, the legal team believed in his case and appealed. During the appeal, he could keep driving. Later, the ban was overturned—a big success for the driver and the association.

How Bans Affect Everyone

When a taxi driver is banned, it removes a vehicle and an experienced driver from London’s streets. For drivers who own their own cabs, a six-month ban means no income, but they still have to pay for car loans and household bills. This hits their finances hard.

The Ongoing Debate

The LTDA’s concerns add to arguments about whether 20mph limits are fairly enforced, especially for professional drivers who work long shifts on roads that used to be faster. Many in the trade are worried about the balance between safety and the livelihoods of those who drive for a living.

Image Credit: www.taxi-point.co.uk