North Ayrshire Council Denies Taxi Licence Over Drug Offences

North Ayrshire Council has refused a taxi licence application from James Moore after reviewing his history of serious traffic offences related to drug use. The decision came during a licensing committee meeting on March 5, following objections raised by Police Scotland. This case contrasts with a recent decision where a Saltcoats woman was granted a taxi licence despite driving convictions.

A police background check revealed that Moore had previously been convicted of driving under the influence of drugs. In February 2022, Kilmarnock Sheriff Court sentenced him to a two-year driving ban and a £400 fine after he was caught exceeding the legal drug limit. Tests showed he had 800 micrograms per litre of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in his blood—16 times over the legal threshold of 50mcg per litre. Additionally, he was found to have 55mcg per litre of cocaine in his system, far exceeding the 10mcg per litre limit.

Due to the severity of these offences, Police Scotland objected to Moore’s application, arguing that he was not a "fit and proper person" to be a taxi driver. They also noted that he was still disqualified from driving at the time of his application and had not met the minimum requirement of driving for one year before applying.

Moore pleaded with the committee for leniency, expressing remorse for his past actions. He acknowledged his mistake and emphasized his efforts to turn his life around.

Moore stated:

"I made a mistake in life and everyone is entitled to a second chance. I don’t drink anymore and certainly don’t take drugs. I have a second child on the way and would like a more sustainable job. I hold my hands up to everything I did and know I was out of order. I can only apologise."

Despite his appeal, Councillor Christina Larsen proposed rejecting the application, citing the gravity of the offences and the council's responsibility to uphold high standards for taxi drivers.

Larsen stated:

"We have to consider the level you were over the limit in each case. Holding a taxi driver’s licence in North Ayrshire is a privilege, and we have high expectations of our taxi drivers."

The committee unanimously supported the motion, ultimately rejecting Moore’s application.