Taxi Driver Online

Brakes Put On Dodgy Private Hire Drivers

Tuesday 27th October 2009

Two private hire drivers running limo and taxi businesses in the South Somerset area have received criminal records after an investigation by district council licensing officials.

Detailed investigations led by South Somerset District Council revealed they had each committed multiple offences and driven local passengers without private hire licences.

One limousine and taxi driver had been found operating without a private hire driver licence or the necessary vehicle licenses.

Despite this lack of paperwork the driver continued to carry passengers illegally and at the time of investigation had a booking for a limousine journey to Yeovil Town Football Club for a function.

Allegations were made by the public that his vehicle was not roadworthy and was being driven at high speeds.

The driver disposed of the vehicle prior to investigations, but South Somerset District Council’s licensing enforcement team continued to pursue the case to ensure he was operating safely and within the law as a Private Hire driver.

His case was taken to South Somerset Magistrates Court in Yeovil where he was fined £40 for each of his three offences. He was also ordered to pay the district council £100 costs and given a criminal record.

A simultaneous operation found that another man from South Somerset had been driving a private hire vehicle with neither a vehicle licence nor any valid insurance.

As part of the investigation the district council and London’s Public Carriage Office joined forces to intercept an illegal passenger journey from Yeovil to Heathrow Airport being made by the driver.

He received a 12-month conditional discharge for his offences, a criminal record, six penalty points on his driving licence and was ordered to pay £1,500 towards the district council’s costs.

The council’s environmental health spokesman, Cllr Ric Pallister, said: “This council and its partners will actively pursue drivers who operate outside the law.

“We will not tolerate anything less – safety is paramount. Thankfully it is only a very small number of drivers who do not get their licences or keep their vehicles in a safe condition – the majority are hard working individuals who have sought all the necessary paperwork, insurance and vehicle checks.

“We provide our drivers with a lot of information so they know exactly what is required of them.

“Yet again this is a good example of agencies working together to achieve the common aim of public safety. We must also thank the Public Carriage Office in London for their help.”

Residents are urged to check that an identification plate is displayed on the rear and also internally on the front windscreen when they get into a private hire vehicle and also that the driver is wearing a badge.

Anything suspicious can be reported to the licensing department at South Somerset District Council on 01935-462462.

Source; thisisthewestcountry.co.uk

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
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IDFIMH

I see less and less Limos in London.

Not seen one dodgy ex Fire Brigade appliance for over a year now.

I did see a Limo with TFL Minicab stickers on it the other week. I was'nt aware they were having anything to do with them?

Same round here mate they've had a right cull on them over the last few months, the ones I've seen have had plates put on their bumpers, they are only little plates but it's a start, as for the Fire Limos they've been taken off the road all together.

You are partly correct.
The fire engine limos have not been taken off the road...............yet but they are not very popular now and there has obviously been a reduction in the hireing of limos because of the recession so you will see less of them at the moment. There has also been a few of the dodgy operators that have at last seen sense and got out of the industry. I also think that many operators have simply "moth balled" some of their fleet whilst times are a bit harder and they will bring them out again for the proms, after all why pay out all the money for tax and insurance when the vehicle is sat around for 6 months.

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Grandad,

so it wasnt a private hire vehicle then?

TfL/VOSA/Police are clamping down on unlicensed ones, IMO a limo with a PCO disc in is one to be cherished.

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IDFIMH