Edinburgh taxi trade anger over lenient one-week suspension for illegal private hire work
- Perry Richardson
- 24 minutes ago
- 3 min read
A decision by City of Edinburgh Council to suspend a private hire driver for one week after he was found to have illegally plied for hire and overcharged a passenger has triggered strong backlash from Edinburgh’s licensed black cab trade.
The case, heard by the council’s licensing sub-committee, involved private hire driver Mr Hassan, who was found to have picked up a passenger without a valid pre-booking, a core breach of private hire licensing conditions. Council officials imposed a one-week suspension, a sanction that trade representatives say fails to reflect the seriousness of the offence or deter similar behaviour.
Hackney carriage drivers and their representatives argue that illegal plying for hire by private hire vehicles has become routine across the city, particularly around taxi ranks and nightlife hotspots. They say weak penalties and limited visible enforcement have allowed unlawful activity to proliferate, creating unfair competition and increasing risks to passengers.
Keith Auld, a licensed hackney carriage driver and representative of Unite in the region, wrote formally to councillors expressing “deep concern and genuine dismay” at the decision. In his letter seen by TaxiPoint, Auld said illegal plying for hire was “widespread and persistent” in Edinburgh and warned that a short suspension risked signalling that breaches carry minimal consequences.
Hackney carriage drivers say lenient penalty undermines safety and enforcement as complaints of illegal plying for hire continue
Auld also criticised comments made during the hearing by Councillor Neil Ross, who suggested there may have been “confusion” around the breach. Auld said this was untenable given the driver’s seven years of experience, adding that pre-booking requirements are among the most basic rules governing private hire operation.
The timing of the suspension has also drawn criticism. Trade representatives say a one-week ban imposed in January, traditionally a quieter period for drivers, does little to act as a deterrent. They argue that comparable offences in England are often dealt with through the criminal courts, with fines running into hundreds of pounds and penalty points imposed.
Concerns have also been raised about insurance and public safety implications. Hackney representatives are asking whether the council considered that carrying passengers without a valid booking may invalidate private hire insurance, potentially exposing passengers to uninsured journeys. They have also questioned whether the incident was referred to Police Scotland for consideration of any criminal offences.
Tensions were further heightened following a separate incident reported a week after the suspension hearing. According to a letter sent to licensing officials, the daughter of a clerk from the Association of Hackney Carriage Drivers of the City of Edinburgh was waiting at the Lothian Road taxi rank after a Christmas night out when a private hire vehicle allegedly entered the rank canvassing for work. When challenged, the driver reportedly swore at her before driving off.
In a letter to council officials, association member David Horsburgh said the episode illustrated how illegal plying for hire had moved from being a professional issue to a personal safety concern, particularly for women waiting alone at night. He said the recent suspension decision had reinforced perceptions within the trade that enforcement was ineffective and that the risk of meaningful punishment was low.
Hackney carriage representatives are now seeking assurances from the council on what practical steps will be taken to increase enforcement around ranks and peak hours, and how confidence in Edinburgh’s taxi and private hire licensing regime will be restored.
