Taxi Driver Online

Taxi firm fined over licence

A MAIDENHEAD taxi company boss has been fined after one of his drivers was caught driving without a licence or driver’s badge. Asif Iqbal, who owns the private hire company Golden Executive Cars of Church Road – was fined £1,000, reduced to £750 following his guilty plea by post – at Maidenhead Magistrates Court.

He admitted to operating a private hire vehicle in a controlled district when the driver did not have a current private hire driver’s licence, contrary to section 46(2) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. The court heard on Friday last week how the driver’s car was stopped in Westborough Road, Maidenhead, just after 9pm on Saturday, September 1, 2007.

The driver was unable to produce his private hire driver’s badge to indicate that he was licensed by the Royal Borough, and subsequently confirmed that his licence and badge had expired. Further investigations by licensing officers revealed that his licence had expired a year earlier, in September 2006.

At the time the vehicle and the operator were both licensed. However, Mr Iqbal used an unlicensed driver which led to the council’s prosecution. Cllr Jesse Grey, chairman of the licensing panel, said: “This is a very serious offence. “The maximum fine of £1,000 was only reduced because the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

“It is vital that the public who use our taxis feel safe and confident that the vehicles they travel in are operating legally. The council’s licensing officers work tirelessly to ensure that all taxi and private hire drivers are properly licensed.

“Cases such as this only serve to undermine the strict checking procedures we carry out to ensure that taxis and private vehicles comply with our strict licensing regime. “This should be a warning to other operators that we will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who jeopardises the safety of our residents.” Mr Iqbal was also ordered to pay costs of £275.

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