Out of town taxi driver off the road after illegal fare pick upsA South Oxfordshire taxi driver driver has lost his driving licence after picking up fares at the side of the road in Reading.
Umar Hayat Zia’s licence only allowed him to take pre-booked fares out of his district.
However, the 56-year-old was caught illegally “plying for hire” by police officers in a joint operation with Reading Borough Council in the town on January 24 this year. He was also driving with no insurance.
Magistrates in Reading gave him six penalty points that when
added to the 12 points already on his licence means he is disqualified from driving for six months.
Zia, of Swepstone Close, Lower Earley, admitted illegally plying for hire and driving with no insurance.
He had been licensed by South Oxfordshire District Council to drive a hackney carriage and private hire car, but did not permit him to pick up fares in Reading without prior booking.
Reading Magistrates also fined him £120 for illegally plying for hire and £200 for driving with no insurance. He was also ordered to pay £300 costs and £52 victim surcharge.
Paul Gittings, Lead Councillor for Culture, Sport and Consumer Services, said: “This driver has paid a heavy price by losing his driving licence – and his livelihood – because he broke the law.
“Picking up fares on the street without the correct licence is a serious offence, and I hope this sends out a clear warning to others who may consider doing so that we will catch them.”
source:
http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/ ... -pick-ups/
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