Rotherham cabbies now all fully licensed

The final seven cabbies submitted proof of their BTEC qualifications to the council before the May 31 deadline.

The rules — including CCTV kit and safeguarding training — were introduced in July 2015 after the CSE scandal.

And the last category to have full compliance was the BTEC level two course on the role of a professional driver.

The £300 course takes about 30 hours to complete. It provides the basic knowledge needed to provide a personal road transport service and ensure safe journeys for customers.

The licensing policy was introduced after the Jay report highlighted the role of the taxi trade in child sexual exploitation.

Drivers were given until summer 2016 to install cameras and audio recording equipment.

Twenty-nine drivers have returned their licences to RMBC after being suspended for not meeting the criteria. There are 1,004 with an active licence, according to a report to cabinet this week (11).

Meanwhile, council officers have been involved in developing a national database of applicants who have had their licences refused, suspended or revoked.

RMBC has also lobbied the Government over concerns about cross-border working and the potential risks to passengers.