All the complaints about Yarmouth taxi drivers since 2019

New figures have revealed the habit accounted for eight complaints lodged by members of the public with Great Yarmouth Borough Council about the area's taxi and private hire drivers over the last five years.

The figures were revealed by the council following a freedom of information request.

A total of 31 complaints, for a variety of reasons, have been lodged with Town Hall about the behaviour of Great Yarmouth's taxi drivers since 2019.

Great Yarmouth Town Hall. (Image: Denise Bradley)

In that time, one of those complaints went to the borough council's licensing committee.

Other complaints included:

Abusive drivers - 3

Dangerous driving - 7

Behaviour and rudeness - 7

Overcharging - 5

Refused Fare - 1

Smoking (in vehicles) - 8

Unlicensed drivers - 0

READ MORE: Taxi driver arrested on suspicion of drug driving after road rage dispute

Since 2015, it has been illegal to smoke in all workplaces including taxis. (Image: Archant)

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Since 2015, it has been illegal to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places, workplaces and public and work vehicles.

This means that smoking is not allowed by anyone in a private hire vehicle, or taxi, at any time.

The legislation includes the driver, even if the vehicle is not being used for hire.

When the council receives a complaint in writing, it contacts the driver in question to discuss the complaint.

Depending on the outcome of this meeting, and the seriousness of the complaint, it will determine what course of action is taken. 

The council has an internal points system which can be used for minor infringements.

If an individual concerned accrues a total of 12 local penalty points in a three year period then they will automatically be referred to the licensing committee to justify why their licence should continue.

Each complaint is logged against driver records for future reference.