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Private hire driver caught taking illegal fares with too many passengers and no insurance slapped with six-month driving ban
A private hire vehicle (PHV) driver licensed by Sefton Council has received a six-month driving ban after being caught illegally plying for hire without insurance and carrying more passengers than permitted in Liverpool.
Liverpool City Council (LCC) Licensing confirmed that its enforcement officers identified the offences during a licensed music event on Blackstone Street in March 2026.
The driver, who held a private hire licence issued by neighbouring Sefton Council, was found illegally plying for hire, an activity reserved for licensed hackney carriages.
According to the council, the driver was also operating without valid insurance and carrying excessive passengers at the time of the incident.
Following a recent court appearance, the driver received a six-month driving ban and was ordered to pay a total of £430 in fines and costs.
Liverpool City Council Licensing said: “A Sefton licensed private hire driver was caught by LCC Enforcement Officers in March, illegally plying for hire without insurance while carrying excessive passengers. Following a court appearance, the driver received a 6 month ban and was ordered to pay £430 in fines and costs.”
Private hire drivers are legally required to undertake journeys that have been booked in advance through a licensed private hire operator. Unlike hackney carriage drivers, they cannot accept immediate street hails or approach members of the public offering journeys.
Drivers who illegally ply for hire risk invalidating their insurance cover, potentially leaving passengers and other road users exposed to significant financial and legal consequences following a collision.
Carrying more passengers than a vehicle is licensed or designed to accommodate presents further safety concerns, particularly where the number of occupants exceeds the available seat belts.
The council has not disclosed the driver’s identity, the number of passengers being carried or the individual offences recorded by the court.
