Cross-border test purchase operation catches private hire driver illegally plying for hire in Nottingham
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) joined licensing teams from Nottingham City Council and Wolverhampton City Council last week in a targeted operation to tackle illegal private hire activity across Nottingham.
During the joint exercise, officers carried out 50 test purchases to ensure private hire drivers were not illegally plying for hire by picking up passengers who had not pre-booked a journey.
Of the 50 checks conducted, only one driver failed the test by accepting a fare directly from the street. As the journey had not been pre-booked, the driver’s insurance was invalid, highlighting the risks to passengers who enter a private hire vehicle without booking in advance.
The case is now pending prosecution at Magistrates’ Court. The driver’s licensing authority will also review their driver’s licence, which could result in suspension or revocation.
Licensing officers say the results demonstrate high compliance levels among private hire drivers but reinforce the need for continued vigilance. Members of the public are being reminded to always pre-book private hire journeys to ensure they are fully insured in the event of an accident.
