Private hire driver prosecuted after failing to identify speeding driver and allowing use of vehicle by unlicensed individual
- Perry Richardson
- 17 minutes ago
- 1 min read
A private hire driver has been handed six penalty points and ordered to pay more than £1,200 after failing to identify who was behind the wheel of his vehicle during a speeding offence and for permitting an unlicensed individual to use his licensed vehicle.
The case, investigated by Avon and Somerset Police, was brought before Bath Magistrates’ Court on 21 October.
The offence dates back to June 2024, when a private hire vehicle was detected travelling at 56mph in a 40mph zone on The Portway. The registered private hire driver nominated another individual as the driver at the time of the offence. However, police enquiries were unable to confirm the identity of the nominated person, who was found to be unlicensed.
As a result, the licensed driver was prosecuted for failing to provide the name and address of the driver. This offence alone resulted in six penalty points on his driving licence and fines and costs totalling £1,030. He was also fined a further £200 for allowing an unlicensed person to operate his private hire vehicle.
PC Patrick Quinton, Avon and Somerset Police’s dedicated taxi enforcement officer, confirmed that the matter has now been referred to the local licensing authority to consider potential regulatory action. The council will now assess whether the driver remains fit and proper to hold a private hire licence.
