Taxi driver loses licence after illegal passenger pick-up

A taxi driver has been disqualified from driving for three months after being caught plying for hire by licensing officers.

Jatinder Singh, 35, of Ring Fence, Shepshed, appeared at Loughborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday 19 March, to plead not guilty to plying for hire in his private hire vehicle at the Download Festival, Castle Donington, in June 2017.

Licensing officers from North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) proved that Singh had wound down the windows of his vehicle before shouting ‘taxi’ in their direction. It wasn’t until inside the vehicle and the journey had begun that they were told to call the office and make a booking.

Private hire vehicles can legally only pick up pre-booked passengers, a regulation that exists to provide passengers with important safety protections against unregulated drivers.

In his defence, Singh claimed he had not shouted ‘taxi’ and that the enforcement officers had entered the vehicle uninvited whereupon they were told they needed to make a booking.

Magistrates’ found Singh guilty of the offence, giving weight to the clear and corroborated evidence given by the enforcement officers.

Singh was disqualified from driving for three months, fined £300, and ordered to pay costs of £983, and a £30 victim surcharge.

Councillor Alison Smith MBE, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: “These laws and regulations exist for good reason and protect people from unregulated drivers that could be driving unsafe or dangerous vehicles.

“All taxi drivers are fully aware of the law so there really is no excuse for this offence. Public safety is our priority, not least at such a well-loved event like Download festival, which brings thousands of people to North West Leicestershire every year.”