AN TAXI driver has been fined nearly £3,000 and given eight penalty points after operating without a license or valid insurance.
Reading Borough Council found Mr Saleem Raza to be operating as a taxi driver illegally, plying for hire without proper license in the town centre.
Mr Raza, 63, and of Cressingham Road, was parked on West Street– a spot known to the council for prevalence in illegal taxi hire– in the early hours of the morning.
He was approached by a licensing officer and agreed to take them to Tilehurst without the required prior booking.
At a subsequent hearing at Reading Magistrate’s court, he was fined £1,000 for the offence of plying for hire without license, as well as prosecution costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £400.
A total of £2,900 is to be paid by Mr Raza in monthly instalments, and he has received eight penalty points on his driving license for driving without valid insurance.
The council is encouraging residents to be cautious and warning of the dangers of unlicensed taxis.
It advises that residents travel in private hire cars which have been booked in advance or use black cabs with the appropriate private hire or Hackney Carriage license plates.
Unlicensed drivers have no safeguards in place for either the journey or the individual travelling, which can lead passengers to be tempted by convenience or cheap fares.
Rob Abell, Consumer Protection Group Manager at Reading Borough Council, said:
“Public safety and confidence to use regulated and licensed taxis is of paramount importance. Private Hire and Hackney Carriage customers are entitled to trust the person driving is properly vetted, authorised, checked, and licensed.
“Unlicensed drivers who undermine that trust will be robustly dealt with to maintain public confidence and ensure safety in our nighttime economy. The Council Licensing Team worked tirelessly to bring this complex case to court, and I am delighted the District Judge recognised the importance of it.
“Any customer who has any concerns about taxi or private hire drivers can report them in confidence to us at: licensing@reading.gov.uk, or through the Council Contact Centre on 0118 937 3787.”
