PLANS to make it compulsory for new taxi drivers to take an advanced driving course before gaining their licence have been backed by Redditch Councillors.

If a driver fails, he or she would need to undergo further training instead of an outright rejection of the licence.

Any of the 300 drivers on the road at the moment can take the test voluntarily.

But they could be forced to take it if they were the subject of a public complaint or were convicted for a motoring offence.

Councillor James Uphill said the council would have to ensure any complaint was not malicious.

Complaints would be dealt with by the council's licensing sub-committee.

Councillors were very supportive of the scheme.