Licence revoked! Private hire driver caught illegally plying for hire

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A private hire driver licensed by Bolton Council has had his badge revoked after being caught illegally plying for hire.

Only hackney carriage taxi drivers are legally allowed to pick up passengers who have not pre-booked a journey through a licenced operator.

Not only is it considered a huge safety risk to travel in an un-booked private hire vehicle, the insurance also becomes void, meaning if a collision was to occur, neither driver nor passenger would have cover.

The unnamed man was called before the council's licensing committee for a hearing where the panel was informed that on 25 March he was caught plying for trade by a licensing officer.

Taking into account the council's strict rules on matters surrounding public safety, the panel unanimously agreed that the revocation of the man's private hire licence was necessary.

In minutes from the meeting, the council noted: 'Members of the public and in particular, the elderly, infirm and children or vulnerable adults entrust their personal safety and wellbeing to private hire drivers whenever they take a journey.

'Passengers often travel alone and are vulnerable to inappropriate behaviour.

'The Committee’s primary duty is of concern for the safety and wellbeing of the public.

'There is therefore reasonable cause to revoke the private hire drivers licence.'