A veteran taxi driver had his licence revoked on the grounds that he is unfit to drive, despite a clean bill of health from his doctor.

Hadley Edwards has been driving a taxi for more than 50 years but in July, the Transport Control Department suspended his licence, saying he is not fit to drive. Mr. Edwards was in an accident while driving on April 7, hitting a woman as she crossed Reid Street near the junction of King Street.

Since then, the Bermuda Police Service has advised his driving licence should be suspended due to "a disability" — according to a TCD letter.

The letter, from TCD Director Randy Rochester, states: "The Police Department has reported that you are suffering from a disability, which prevents you from driving a motor vehicle or riding a cycle in a safe and proper manner, and has advised that you should not drive."

Mr. Rochester says that as a result of Mr. Edwards's "collision with a pedestrian", his driver's licence has been suspended under the Motor Car Act 1951.

But the letter also states: "You must provide a certificate from your doctor stating that he has examined you and that as a result of the examination, has found you do not have any disability which will be likely to prevent you from driving in a safe and proper manner."

Mr. Rochester says that once a medical certificate is supplied, the case will be referred to the Medical Reference Committee.

Dr. Mahesh Reddy of Bermuda Healthcare Services has however, since provided such a certificate and Mr. Edwards is still off the road. His son Antwan is currently driving his taxi in his place.

Dr. Reddy's letter, dated July 29, states: "The above-named patient is currently under my care.

"He has been examined and found not to have any disabilities that will restrict his driving."

Mr. Edwards, 81, of Sandys, told The Royal Gazette: "The Police said I had a disability but they had no right to say that because they are not a doctor.

"My own doctor has given me a certificate which says I have no disability, so the Police and TCD have no reason to discriminate.

"I've been driving for 61 years and have been a taxi driver for 51 years, and I feel this is wrong. I feel pretty nasty about it all — to cut me down like that after all these years of driving."

The Royal Gazette asked TCD for comment yesterday but did not receive a response by the time of going to press.