Taxi Driver Loses Licence After Swearing at Parking Officer Outside Cornwall School

A taxi driver has had their licence revoked after verbally abusing a parking enforcement officer outside a primary school in Cornwall.

Confrontation Over Parking Fine

The incident took place when the driver was issued a parking charge notice for stopping on zig-zag lines near a school crossing. Instead of accepting the fine, the driver tracked down the enforcement officer and confronted them, swearing and behaving aggressively in front of young children.

The entire exchange was captured on the officer’s body-worn camera, providing clear evidence of the driver’s actions.

Council Investigation Leads to Licence Revocation

Following an investigation by Cornwall Council’s licensing compliance team, the matter was referred to the licensing committee. After reviewing the evidence, the committee decided to revoke the driver’s taxi licence.

The committee ruled that the driver’s conduct was not in line with the expectations of a professional driver and that they were not a “fit and proper person” to hold a licence.

Councillor Carol Mould, portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, stated:

“We will not tolerate any kind of abuse towards our staff, or members of the public.

“This individual’s behaviour was totally unacceptable. We expect taxi drivers to abide by the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and those who fail to do so risk losing their licence.”

Zig-Zag Parking Restrictions Protect Children

Cornwall Council emphasised that zig-zag parking restrictions outside schools exist to protect children, who may not have the same level of road awareness as adults.

Councillor Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder with responsibility for enforcement at Cornwall Council, said:

“Our officers play a really important role in keeping communities safe.

“Unfortunately, there are often incidents around schools where drivers get impatient and sometimes aggressive.

“Zig-zag restrictions outside schools are there to protect children, who could be distracted because they may not have the same level of road sense as adults. Due to the danger it presents to children, we take a zero tolerance approach to people who park on zig-zags outside schools.

“This driver’s behaviour was totally unacceptable. We ask that all drivers are patient and considerate, particularly around schools, and make sure they abide by the traffic regulations that are in place.”

Parking enforcement officers work across Cornwall to ensure drivers follow parking regulations on public streets and car parks.