Consultation on the draft policy for drug testing of taxi drivers
We'd like to hear your views
We're proposing to introduce drug testing to prevent illegal drug users from being granted taxi licences in Liverpool and make sure all taxi drivers licensed by us are drug free. We'd like to hear your views on this proposal. Please read a summary of each of the key proposals made in the draft policy and give us your views on them.
Before you start
For more details on each proposal, please read the document below.
Proposal 1: To test new applicants with drug-related convictions
If a new applicant has a drug-related conviction or caution given to them in the 10-year period before they apply, we may ask them to provide a Negative Urine Analysis certificate issued by a UKAS accredited testing laboratory. This discretionary procedure is intended to be used in a very limited number of cases as ordinarily a drug conviction will mean we will refuse the application. The applicant will be required to pay for the test which is likely to be in the region of £100.
Do you agree with the proposal above that relates to new applicants with drug-related convictions?
Do you think this proposal may have unintended consequences? If so, what do you think they could be?
Do you think this proposal could be discriminatory in any way or potentially breach an applicant’s human rights? If so, please state why in the box below.
Do you have any other comments about this proposal?
Proposal 2: To test drivers with a recent drug-related conviction when they apply to renew their licence
We may ask any driver with a drug-related conviction or caution given to them in the 3-year period leading up to their renewal application to provide a Negative Urine Analysis certificate issued by a UKAS accredited testing laboratory. This discretionary procedure is intended to be used in a very limited number of cases as ordinarily a drug conviction will mean we will refuse the application. The applicant must pay for the test which is likely to cost in the region of £100. If the test is positive, their licence will be revoked with immediate effect and further investigation carried out.
Do you agree with the proposal above that relates to drivers with drug-related convictions who apply to renew their licence?
Do you think this proposal may have unintended consequences? If so, what do you think they could be?
Do you think this proposal could be discriminatory in any way or potentially breach an applicant’s human rights? If so, please state why in the box below.
Do you have any other comments about this proposal?
Proposal 3: To carry out random drug testing on licensed drivers
Each month, around 10-15 licensed drivers would undergo a Urine Analysis at a UKAS accredited testing laboratory at the council’s expense. The selection would be made by an accredited laboratory using a random number generator. Any driver who passes a random drugs test would then be exempted from further random testing for three months.
Do you agree with the proposal above that relates to random drug testing of licensed drivers?
Do you think this proposal may have unintended consequences? If so, what do you think they could be?
Do you think this proposal could be discriminatory in any way or potentially breach an applicant’s human rights? If so, please state why in the box below.
Do you have any other comments about this proposal?
Proposal 4: To carry out intelligence-led drug testing
If there are credible reasons to suspect that a licensed driver may be using illegal drugs, the council could request they undergo a Urine Analysis at a UKAS accredited testing laboratory at the council’s expense. Any driver who passes the test will be exempted from any further random testing for a period of three months.
Do you agree with the proposal above that relates to intelligence-led drug testing of licensed drivers?
Do you think this proposal may have unintended consequences? If so, what do you think they could be?
Do you think this proposal could be discriminatory in any way or potentially breach an applicant’s human rights? If so, please state why in the box below.
Do you have any other comments about this proposal?
Proposal 5: To carry out drug testing after a licence has been revoked
If a driver’s taxi licence has been revoked for drug-related offences, the council could ask them to be drug tested as part of the process designed to determine whether they are 'fit and proper' to be licensed again.
Do you agree with the proposal to drug test drivers when they reapply after having lost their licence for drug-related offences?
Do you think this proposal may have unintended consequences? If so, what do you think they could be?
Do you think this proposal could be discriminatory in any way or potentially breach an applicant’s human rights? If so, please state why in the box below.
Do you have any other comments about this particular proposal?