Last year, 58 of the approximately 68.000 taxi drivers lost their driver card due to suspension after committing a serious offense or on suspicion of a crime. This is an increase compared to previous years: in 2019 the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) suspended 27 driver cards, and in 2018 there were 21.

Suspension

Due to the suspension of the driver card, these persons cannot, for the time being, work as taxi drivers and / or perform taxi transport in the interests of the safety of passengers and other road users. The driver will be given the opportunity to lodge an objection and appeal. If a driver obtains a Certificate of Good Behavior (VOG) again, he can request a new driver card from Kiwa.

Police report

One of the reasons that the number of suspensions has increased is the improved information exchange between the ILT and the police, and in particular the Amsterdam police. The ILT will receive a notification from the police for crimes that are relevant to the exercise of the profession of taxi driver. This concerns, for example, theft, drunk driving, assault and sex crimes. After a report, the ILT will immediately suspend the driver card to prevent this person from carrying out taxi transport any longer. It does not matter whether the crime occurred during the driver's taxi activities.

No VOG

In addition to the signals from the police, the ILT receives a notification via the Central Body for a Certificate of Good Conduct (COVOG) if taxi drivers can no longer obtain a VOG because of a relevant criminal offense. That is another reason to suspend the driver card. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate reports this on them website through this message.

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