Gloucester City Council prosecutes driver using private hire vehicle after taxi licence REVOKED in neighbouring authority
- Perry Richardson
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
Gloucester City Council has secured a successful prosecution against a driver who operated a private hire vehicle without a licence and without valid insurance, following enforcement action that raised passenger safety concerns.
Samir Jamshidi pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court to using a private hire vehicle without a licence and driving without insurance between 9 May 2025 and 1 June 2025. The offences occurred after his hackney carriage driver’s licence had been revoked by a neighbouring licensing authority.
Despite the revocation, Jamshidi continued to undertake private hire journeys for a licensed operator during the period in question. Operating without a valid licence also meant the vehicle was not insured for hire and reward, leaving passengers without protection in the event of an incident.
The court imposed eight DVLA penalty points on Jamshidi’s driving licence alongside a £120 fine. He was also ordered to pay a £48 victim surcharge and £2,008.60 in prosecution costs.
Driver fined and given penalty points after operating without a valid private hire licence or insurance
The case was brought by Gloucester City Council’s licensing team, supported by the council’s Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit. Legal proceedings were handled by One Legal, which provides legal services across several Gloucestershire authorities.
Licensing officers identified that Jamshidi had continued working despite no longer holding a valid driver licence, highlighting ongoing concerns around cross-border working and drivers attempting to remain active after enforcement action by another authority.
Local authorities have repeatedly warned that unlicensed and uninsured private hire activity presents a direct risk to public safety, as vehicles and drivers operating outside the licensing system are not subject to routine checks, safeguarding standards or insurance requirements.
The prosecution forms part of wider efforts by councils to tighten compliance within the taxi and private hire sector, particularly where drivers seek to bypass licensing controls following suspension or revocation elsewhere.
Cllr Rebecca Trimnell, Gloucester City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Gloucester City Council is committed to ensuring the safety of passengers and the legality of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire services in our community. This successful prosecution sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate illegal activity in our city and will take decisive action to protect Gloucester residents and visitors.”
