Taxi Driver Online

Prosecution bulletin - illegal mini cab operators

Two illegal minicab operators and controllers face fines and costs totalling more than £2000 following spot checks and investigations by TfL’s Public Carriage Office (PCO).

At Brent Magistrates Court on Monday 23rd August, the PCO prosecuted 2 individuals who had been reported by PCO Licensing Officers for the offence of operating without a Private Operators Licence for London. The operators were based in Newham and Tower Hamlets.

Public Carriage Office, Head Roy Ellis said:

“The message to operators is clear. Get licensed and keep your records accurate and up to date. The PCO are constantly doing spot checks on operators and you will be caught out if you don’t comply with the licensing regulations. Minicab licensing in London is well underway making travel in the capital.”

Details of the prosecutions are:

Monday 23 August 2004

Mr Abbey MUKASA of HAMMER CARS, 146 Earlham Grove, London E7 9AB
Failed to attend - case proved in absence
£500 Fine + £582 costs

Mr Zoshim UDDIN of MINICAB UK, caught at: Brittania Hotel, Marsh Wall E14.
Failed to attend - case proved in absence
£500 Fine + £422 Costs

The offence of trading without a licence in London currently carries a maximum fine of £2500.

Since 2001 minicab operators must hold a licence from the PCO to run a service. Since 1st June 2003 it is an offence to drive a minicab without a private hire driving licence or a temporary permit issued by the PCO. Licensing of vehicles started in April 2004.

Cabs should be confiscated,and driver jailed.
The fines are too small,and the risk to Joe Public too serious.

These people should be ashamed of themselves and cab companies should be making stringent checks on these ass h-les.

Hangemhigh

yeh right so an innocent little owner drivers should have his car confiscated because of the opperator having no licence? justice not your strongest subject?

I think these drivers where prosecuted for not having operator licenses. So really if their motors were cubed, then they would only have themselves to blame.

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IDFIMH

how many people, owner drivers walk into a firm after an advert not knowing a licensing regime, round here they cant speak english let alone read the laws.

they rely on firms showing them the licensing system, so to then know if they have an opperators license?

better abolishing private hire and just have taxis.

As long as quotas go with it, then let's have a go.

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IDFIMH

Should make sure in the first place.
Hangemhigh