Former private hire driver suspected of offering lifts for cash caught carrying seven passengers in five-seat car
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
A former private hire driver in Surrey has been reported after being caught carrying seven passengers in a vehicle designed for five.
Surrey RoadSafe confirmed that the driver, who had previously had their private hire licence revoked, was suspected of offering illegal lifts for cash. Officers targeted the vehicle following those suspicions.
When stopped, officers found that two of the passengers were young children, who had been placed in the footwell. The driver told officers he was “only taking them down the road”, a claim authorities described as likely untrue and dangerous regardless of the distance.
The driver has been reported for the unsafe carriage of passengers. Social services have also been informed after it emerged the children’s mother allowed them to travel in such conditions, putting them at risk.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns around unlicensed drivers continuing to operate and the risks posed to public safety.
A Surrey RoadSafe spokesperson said: “The driver of this vehicle was suspected to be doing 'cash in hand' lifts since their private hire licence was revoked, so was targeted.
“A vehicle for five was found to have seven passengers, with the two youngest shoved in the footwell.
“The driver stated, 'I was only taking them down the road'.
“This is unsafe regardless and suspected to be a lie. He was reported for the dangerous carriage of passengers. Social services were notified about this offence as the mother allowed it to happen, putting her children at risk.”
