PROPOSED changes to rules covering Leeds taxi drivers could be made less strict, following resistance from the trade.

Leeds City Council is looking at tightening up its convictions policy for cabbies who commit minor motoring offences and clock up points on their licence.

It had been suggested that drivers who accumulate more than six points for crimes such as speeding would potentially lose their licence, down from the current threshold of 12.

Cabbies have furiously protested against the move, branding it disproportionate and draconian and saying it will trigger an exodus of drivers from the trade.

Now, following a public consultation, the council has put forward another option, which would see drivers on between seven and eight points given a warning. They would also potentially be forced to attend extra training.

Those who reach nine points could still lose their licence if this option is adopted, but the council says each case will be judged on its own merits. The nature of the offences will be among the factors considered in any disciplinary action.

However, one local cabbies’ union hit out again at the council for proposing a change in policy, claiming the alteration made “no difference” to their view.