FIVE private hire drivers caught illegally picking up fares during Liverpool enforcement sting
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 28
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Five private hire drivers in Liverpool are set to be reported for serious offences after they were caught illegally picking up passengers during a test operation.
Licensing officers from Liverpool City Council carried out a targeted test purchase exercise, approaching 33 private hire vehicles in a bid to catch drivers plying-for-hire without a prior booking.
According to the council, five drivers agreed to take officers without a legitimate booking in place. They will now be reported for summons for offences including plying-for-hire and driving without insurance.
Private hire vehicles are only legally permitted to pick up passengers who have pre-booked through a licensed operator. Accepting journeys off the street, without a booking, voids their insurance and breaches licensing regulations.
Liverpool City Council says it will continue efforts to tackle illegal activity in the sector, as unbooked private hire work raises public safety concerns and creates unfair competition with licensed taxi drivers.
The Liverpool City Council Licensing spokesperson said: “Liverpool Licensing Officers conducted a test purchase operation last night targeting private hire vehicles that illegally ply-for-hire.
“5 drivers of the 33 vehicles approached took the officers without a booking and will be reported for summons for offences of No Insurance and Plying-for-Hire.”
