Alleged TfL private hire marked car seized after driver gave false details

Image credit: Twitter-@EPRoadsPolicing

A car which appears to be marked with a Transport for London (TfL) roundel has been seized by Essex Roads Policing Team after it came to light that the driver was not licensed to drive it.

The blue Ford C-max, was stopped over the weekend by officers on a routine patrol.

A spokesperson for the police said that the driver gave details of someone who was clearly "quite a bit older", raising the suspicions of the officers.

Following further questioning, the man admitted that he had lied. Officers said he will now face charges of driving without insurance.

It also came to light that the man had been stopped earlier, where he also gave false details. He will now face further prosecution for those offences.

TaxiPoint has approached the police to find out more details about whether the man was trying to impersonate a private hire driver, and whether the vehicle is still licensed to operate as a private hire vehicle when driven by the actual owner of the car.

In a tweet by Essex Roads Policing Team, @EPRoadsPolicing, a spokesperson said: "This Ford was stopped and the driver gave details of someone quite a bit older than him.

"Finally admitted the truth and no insurance on vehicle. He had been stopped earlier and given false details so now looking at more offences to be dealt with. Car seized."