Taxi Driver Online

Bit like a similar incident a few weeks ago featuring a school run?

But not sure what the explanation was back then, and not sure what the explanation is here. Except that I doubt the 'trainer' claim holds water

Photo of the plate at the bottom - not sure I'm keen on that kind of thing, although I'm sure the news site here has defnitive proof of what's claimed

But, I mean, it could be a rental car, or whatever, therefore...

For example, if this was a spat between two ordinary motorists, would the site publish a close up photo of either car's number plate? I suspect not, so why different rules for the trade?


Paisley mum 'furious' as private hire cab arrives with driver and another male passenger

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... e-33323952

Laura Hegart refused to get in the car after being told that the male passenger was 'training' the driver, and instead reported the incident to the company and police.

A Paisley woman has issued a warning after a taxi she ordered arrived with another man, as well as the driver, up front.

Laura Hegart, 50, had been out for dinner and a couple of drinks with her daughter, 26, when she ordered the Renfrewshire Cab to take them home from Whisky Joe's Bar at around 9pm on Tuesday, January 27. However, as the private hire taxi appeared, she says she noticed two men within the vehicle.

Initially thinking it may be for someone else, she phoned the driver who got out the car to tell her that it was hers. After approaching the vehicle, she confronted the pair and was informed by the passenger that he was 'training' the driver.

Speaking to Glasgow Live, Laura said : "I approached the car and opened the rear door and explained that there is never two males in any Renfrewshire cab. I was then told by the passenger “I am trainer” to which I said absolutely not. I then informed them I would be calling the office.

"I called Paisley Cabs to inform them that two males were trying to pick up people, which is illegal and highly worrying. I was told by the office that this driver would be signed off immediately and this is not something that is allowed to happen. While I was on the phone, the two men started shouting at each other and tried to shut the door to leave.

"I refused to get out of the way until my daughter got a photo of their licence plate. I'm scared that if it was just my daughter on her own she might not have questioned it.

"How many people would have challenged them if they had been out drinking. It felt sinister.

"When I got home, I was furious. It's absolutely terrifying."

Renfrewshire Cabs confirmed that they are aware of the incident and have spoken to Laura since the incident. They added that the driver – who was newly registered – is no longer employed by the company.

A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Cabs told Glasgow Live: "We are aware of the incident reported and understand the concern it has caused. Passenger safety is our absolute priority, and we are very sorry for the distress experienced.

"We are fully cooperating with Police Scotland and Renfrewshire Council licensing authority and will support any investigation.

"The individual involved was a newly registered driver who joined us yesterday with a valid private hire badge issued by Renfrewshire Council and had passed our standard onboarding checks. All of our drivers are self-employed.

"We were not aware that another person was present in the vehicle until our office was contacted on the night. This is not permitted under our policies. As soon as management was made aware, the driver was immediately removed from our system and will not be permitted to work with Renfrewshire Cab Co again.

"All drivers have been advised of the incident, and all are aware no person in any circumstances should accompany the driver except passenger(s).

"We encourage anyone who feels unsafe or notices anything concerning during a taxi journey to report it to us or the relevant authorities immediately so action can be taken without delay."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Enquiries are ongoing with the local authority after we received a report of concern regarding the behaviour of the driver of a private hire vehicle in Paisley on Tuesday, 27 January, 2026.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “Anyone who wishes to submit a complaint about a private hire driver can do so by emailing enforcement.licensing@renfrewshire.gov.uk. Where concerns are raised, enforcement officers will carry out an appropriate investigation.”

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He never was employed by the company - see later in your article


Ah, so it's 'onboarding' now. Wonder where that terminology came from? But the usual thing with playing the self-employment card to distance the driver from the company. And also an element of shifting any blame towards the council by playing the licensing card.

Not that there's any evidence the company has done anything wrong here. But, you know...

And you'd think self-employed drivers wouldn't need to go through an 'onboarding' process anyway

I think the lady has got a case of being 'furious'.

I suspect the driver was not a homegrown chap, and maybe in other countries in the world, this could be commonplace.

Maybe the council and the operator need to ensure all new drivers are aware of what's allowable and what's not, rather than taking the money and not doing much for it.

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IDFIMH