A TAXI driver has been fined nearly £1,300 after he was caught illegally plying for hire in Reading.
Mr Abdalgadar Yaqoub, of Southampton, pleaded guilty and was convicted to two offences: use of a motor vehicle without insurance, contrary to Section 143(1)(a) and Section 143(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988; and Plying for Hire, Contrary to Section 45 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847.
It comes after in the early hours of April 25, council licensing officers conducted a test purchase operation, during which they approached Mr Yaqoub’s vehicle on Belmont Road.
There, he agreed to take them to Dee Road in Tilehurst without the required pre-booking.
Although Mr Yaqoub is a licensed Private Hire driver, the conditions of his licence only entitle him to accept pre-booked fares.
Any rides accepted without a prior booking invalidate his insurance, putting passengers at risk in the event of an accident.
Mr Yaqoub was fined £553 for operating without insurance and handed six penalty points on his driving licence.
For the offence of plying for hire, he was given no separate penalty, though he was also required to pay a victim surcharge of £221, as well as a contribution towards the prosecution costs of £500.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “The safety of our travelling public is of paramount importance.
“Customers are entitled to trust the person driving is properly vetted, authorised, checked, and licensed. Illegal taxi rides pose significant risks, allowing unvetted drivers to pick up passengers in untraceable and often uninsured journeys.
“These activities undermine the licensing system, compromise safety and deprive legitimate taxi drivers of work. Unlicensed drivers will always be robustly dealt with to maintain public confidence and ensure safety in our nighttime economy.”
