Date Published: 15/05/08

A taxi driver faces losing his licence after being prosecuted for operating illegally.

Sayfur Rahman, of 70 Aylesbury Road, Wendover, was caught plying for hire in his private hire vehicle, which should only pick up pre-booked passengers.

The offence came to light during a test purchasing operation in Aylesbury town centre involving officers from the district council’s licensing team. Licensed private hire drivers were approached, without prior booking, and asked to take officers to previously set destinations.

Rahman was caught after picking up two plain clothed officers outside Sainsbury’s in Buckingham Street and agreeing to take the passengers to the Watermead Inn, where they were met by an officer from the council’s licensing department. The defendant was cautioned and questioned by the officer.

At a hearing at Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court on 8 May, Rahman pleaded guilty to plying for hire and was fined £150. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15 and £100 costs.

Councillor Judy Brandis, Chairman of the AVDC Licensing Committee, said: “This will be a warning to other private hire drivers operating in Aylesbury. Agreeing to take anyone to any destination without prior booking is a criminal offence. Only hackney carriages are licensed to pick up unbooked customers. This sort of action is not only detrimental to passengers since they will not be insured, but also harms the reputation of the overwhelming majority of taxi drivers who abide by the law.”

She added: “Following this conviction the licensing team will have to decide whether this driver is a fit and proper person to hold a private hire licence.”

There are two types of taxis licensed to work in Aylesbury Vale: hackney carriages and private hire vehicles. Only the hackney carriage drivers can wait at taxi ranks and be flagged down in the street.

Private hire vehicles are not allowed to ply for hire or pick up passengers who flag them down. The hackney carriages in Aylesbury display a white taxi licence plate on the rear of the vehicle.

Hackney carriages operating elsewhere in the Vale display a red licence plate. They always have a roof sign, which is illuminated when they are available for hire.

Private hire vehicles carry identifying yellow door stickers and a yellow plate on the back bumper. They must always be pre-booked through a licensed operator either by telephone or at the operator’s office.

Passengers are being advised to keep telephone numbers of reputable firms on their mobiles and not to try to stop private hire cars in the street. They cannot wait at ranks and, if they pick up fares from the street, this invalidates their insurance.

For further information on hackney carriage and private hire licences, please call the licensing team on 01296 585385.