St Albans: Unlicensed taxi driver ordered to pay over £900An unlicensed taxi driver has been ordered to pay in fines and legal costs after being prosecuted by St Albans City and District Council.
Mohammed Tufayel Ahmed appeared at St Albans Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, August 30, where he was ordered to pay £918 in total.
The man from Marshall Avenue had been licensed by the local authority in 2013 but, despite being sent reminder letters, failed to renew his licence when it expired in August last year (2022).
In January (2023), the council received a complaint that Ahmed had spotted touting for business near a taxi rank, and had picked up a paying customer.
During an investigation, CCTV footage appeared to capture the incident involving a Mercedes owned by Ahmed.
Appearing at St Albans Magistrates' Court, Mohammed Tufayel Ahmed admitted to a charge of plying for hire and was fined £80.
He was fined £40 after admitting driving a paying passenger without a private hire licence.
Ahmed was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £48 and £750 towards the council's costs.
Cllr Chris White said: “This was a successful prosecution brought by our licensing team.
“It shows that we will take vigorous action against any individual or organisation that breaches the licensing regulations we are responsible for.
“The regulations are there to protect our residents and ensure that high standards are met.
"Our licensed taxi drivers, for example, must show they are properly qualified, insured, free of criminal convictions and do not pose a risk to the public.
“We cannot allow unlicensed drivers to pick up paying customers and this prosecution is a warning to anyone thinking of doing that.”
Information regarding taxi licensing can be found on the St Albans City & District Council website:
www.stalbans.gov.uk/taxi-licensing-pass ... nformationComplaints regarding taxi drivers that have been licensed by the local authority can be made to the following email address:
taxilicensing@stalbans.gov.uk
Login
Register
FAQ
