Taxi Driver Online

So a driver in England can be prosecuted for obstructing an LO from another local authority?

If the default position is that an LO has no jurisdiction over a cross-border driver, then it seems to be a bit odd that the driver can be prosecuted for obstructing the LO


Out-of-town private hire driver fined after obstructing Milton Keynes enforcement officer

https://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/ou ... t-officer/

A private hire driver licensed outside Milton Keynes has been fined nearly £1,600 after failing to comply with a routine license check carried out by Milton Keynes City Council.

On 9 December 2025, a city council taxi enforcement officer approached a private hire vehicle waiting at Milton Keynes Central Station as part of regular checks to ensure drivers and vehicles operating in the city are properly licensed and meeting legal requirements.

The driver, Mohsin Kazmi, of Farley Farm Road, Luton, who is licensed by Luton Borough Council, failed to provide his private hire driver badge details when requested and drove away from the scene.

Following an investigation by Milton Keynes City Council, Mr Kazmi was identified and prosecuted. He was later found guilty at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court of obstructing an authorised officer.

The court imposed the following penalties:

Fine: £770
Victim Surcharge: £308
Costs: £518

Total: £1,596

Luton Borough Council has been notified of the conviction and will now consider what action should be taken in relation to Mr Kazmi's license.

Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Cllr Sam Crooks said: "Our enforcement officers play a vital role in keeping passengers safe and maintaining high standards across the taxi and private hire trade. These checks are carried out to protect the public, and drivers are expected to cooperate regardless of where their license was issued."

"This case sends a clear message that drivers licensed outside Milton Keynes are not exempt from our enforcement activity. If drivers obstruct our officers or fail to follow the rules, we will investigate and take action. Public safety will always come first."

Milton Keynes City Council continues to carry out regular enforcement operations across the city to ensure all licensed taxi and private hire drivers, whether licensed locally or by another authority, are operating safely, legally and in the best interests of passengers.

They have jurisdiction if the non-local driver is deemed to have committed an offence, i.e. parking on a taxi rank.

_________________
IDFIMH

In this case, he may have been deemed to be plying for hire, but normally the local LOs have no right to speak/deal with non-local drivers, unless, of course, and this may be the case, they have a joint enforcement agreement with the other council.

_________________
IDFIMH

I was wondering about an enforcement protocol as well, Sussex. And you're probably right about the specifically criminal stuff involving cross-border drivers.

But as regards any protocol per se, the section near the end makes it sound like they have full jurisdiction over all drivers from everywhere

Of course, that may just be PR-style blather rather than a detailed exposition of the legal position. And aimed at the general public, as oppose to the more anoraky folks on here:

Well this news release by the Milton Keynes Lib Dems doesn't clarify what happened as regards the LO obstruction thing, but the case being made here is sound enough, if not particularly original (found this via Taxi Point):


How safe is your taxi? Lib Dems want stronger standards for MK passengers

https://www.mklibdems.co.uk/news/articl ... passengers

The proposals aim to give passengers consistent protection and make it easier for the City Council to hold drivers regularly working in Milton Keynes to account.

Last year, Milton Keynes City Council received 89 complaints about drivers and vehicles licensed elsewhere. Officers also carried out 2,132 checks, with almost half of their enforcement time spent on vehicles licensed by other councils.

Drivers licensed in Milton Keynes must complete training covering safeguarding, equality and domestic abuse awareness, as well as White Ribbon training. Whereas requirements set by other licensing authorities can differ.

Although Milton Keynes City Council can check vehicles licensed elsewhere and prosecute certain offences, it cannot suspend or revoke a licence issued by another council. Any concerns requiring action against a licence must be referred to the local council that issued it.

A recent case at Milton Keynes Central Station highlights the problem. A private hire driver licensed by Luton Borough Council refused to provide his badge details during a routine check and drove away.

Milton Keynes City Council successfully prosecuted him for obstructing an authorised officer and he was ordered to pay £1,596. However, any decision to suspend or revoke his licence remained Luton’s responsibility.

The Liberal Democrat proposals call on the Government to:

• Give councils greater control over vehicles regularly working within their area.

• Link licences more closely to where drivers mainly work or live.

• Introduce more consistent safety standards.

• Strengthen licensing enforcement powers for councils and future strategic authorities.

• Make the authority issuing a licence responsible for enforcement costs.

Passengers would still be able to travel across council boundaries as they do now.

The proposals were put forward by Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Crooks, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and seconded by the Leader, Councillor Jane Carr. They secured unanimous support across the Council earlier this autumn.

Councillor Sam Crooks, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said:

“Whether you’re getting home after a night out or travelling to work, you should be able to trust that every driver working in Milton Keynes meets the same high safety standards.

“Our officers work hard to protect passengers, but the current system limits the action they can take against drivers licensed elsewhere.

“The case at the train station shows exactly why change is needed. We want consistent safety standards and stronger local powers so residents’ concerns can be dealt with.

“Passengers would still be able to travel across council boundaries. These changes would create a fairer system that protects passengers, supports responsible drivers and gives taxpayers better value for money.”