Taxi Driver Online

'Cabbie' banned for having no licence

Shields Gazette!

A 'CABBIE' has been banned from the road for taking passengers despite not having a taxi licence or insurance.


South Tyneside magistrates heard how Kirpa Singh used his unlicensed Vauxhall Vectra to make 281 taxi journeys over seven weeks.

Singh, 20, worked as a hackney carriage driver until last year, but he gave up his licence to become a private hire driver for Express Taxis, based in Farnham Road, South Shields.

However, the court heard, Singh failed to apply for a private hire licence and, by the time he started his new job, his vehicle insurance with Norwich Union had also ran out.

Angus Taylor, prosecuting, said: "Someone notified South Tyneside Council that Mr Singh's cab did not have a taxi licence plate on it.

"Further inquiries were made, and it was revealed that not only did Mr Singh's car not have a taxi licence, but he did not have any vehicle insurance either.

"Between September 2, 2008, and October 19, 2008, all his journeys were made with no insurance or no taxi licence.

"Who knows what the consequences would have been if there had been an accident."

Singh, of Stanhope Road, South Shields, pleaded guilty to both offences.

He was banned from driving for four months and fined £250, with £85 costs.

Magistrates heard that Singh was of good character and "knows what he did was wrong".

Kevin Smallcombe, defending, said: "He works very hard for long hours, and is the breadwinner in his house.

"He is a thoroughly decent person who has made a mistake and has apologised for this.

"No fare-paying member of the public was put at risk at any point.

"He is now registered and holds the plate for this."

Express Taxis refused to comment.

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I wonder if the PH operator will have to appear?

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I find it hard to believe this state of affairs. There is no excuse for an operator not to be aware of the licesning status of vehicles and drivers.

A council should consider revoking operator licenses where there is clear evidence of duplicity.

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

This job would be a whole lot better if the Op's were made to be aware that they are accountable.

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

This guy did 281 jobs without a plate on the back of his vehicle and the operator was complicit by not only employing him in the first place but allowing him to continue working knowing that he wasn't licensed and therefore also knowing that he wasn't insured. If thats not putting passengers at risk I don't know what is?

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

he must be due to lose his PH badge as an "unfit person" now surely?...

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

The should make an example of him and give him a seat on the council

The first thing I would do if I was an operator who had just allowed an owner to join my circuit would be to take a photocopy of all his documentation and then contact the council to make sure the documentation was up to date. I can't understand why that did not happen in this case.

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Is it not the case that the ph office would not be guilty of any crime so did not bother if he had proper licence

The private hire operator is guilty of an offence on both counts relating to owner and driver.

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

no person shall in a controlled district operate any vehicle as a private hire vehicle without having a current licence under section 55 of this Act;

(e) no person licensed under the said section 55 shall in a controlled district operate any vehicle as a private hire vehicle—

**(i) if for the vehicle a current licence under the said section 48 is not in force; or (ii) if the driver does not have a current licence under the said section 51.**

(2) If any person knowingly contravenes the provisions of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence.

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

I learn something new every time i visit forum thank you

Me too. lol

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

I think it is worth pointing out JD's post relates to England and Wales, not Scotland.

Just yet.

_________________
IDFIMH

Yes JD,

but dont tell anyone

regards

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin