Mystery shopper initiative sees 16 PHV drivers in Cardiff prosecuted

A mystery shopper initiative in Cardiff has seen 16 private hire drivers from the area prosecuted.

The drivers involved have been prosecuted for a range of offences which included illegally plying for hire and driving without valid insurance.

The local council set up a mystery shopper initiative after it came to light that private hire vehicle drivers were illegally plying for hire and therefore acting as taxis.

Private hire vehicles are only allowed to pick up customers via an app or an operator. It is illegal for private hire drivers to pick up directly off of the street or a taxi rank.

Of the sixteen, fourteen were licensed for the Cardiff area, with two licensed for the Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taff areas.

The driver's were fined £300 and given 8 penalty points on their driving licences and have been ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge as well as £150 in costs.