Public Protection Partnership warns against unlicensed taxis as New Year travel peaks
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The Public Protection Partnership issued a New Year warning over the dangers posed by unlicensed taxi and private hire drivers, urging passengers in Bracknell Forest and West Berkshire to make safety a priority during seasonal travel.
In a statement released as New Year celebrations begin, the Partnership said demand for late-night transport typically increases risks for passengers, particularly where unlicensed drivers offer lifts outside regulated booking channels. The body stressed that only licensed taxis and private hire vehicles are subject to checks covering driver suitability, vehicle roadworthiness and appropriate insurance.
The warning follows ongoing concerns among licensing authorities nationwide about the use of social media platforms and informal messaging groups to solicit passengers. The Partnership said unlicensed drivers operate outside the legal framework designed to protect passengers and remove safeguards relied upon by local councils and police.
Passengers were advised to pre-book journeys through licensed operators wherever possible and to verify details before travelling. The Partnership highlighted the importance of confirming the booking name and destination on arrival, checking that the driver’s photographic identification badge is visible and ensuring the vehicle’s licence plate is current.
Regulatory body urges residents and visitors in Bracknell Forest and West Berkshire to prioritise licensed operators amid heightened seasonal risk
The statement also addressed personal safety and data protection during journeys. Passengers were encouraged to avoid sharing unnecessary personal information while travelling and to consider being dropped close to, rather than directly outside, their home if that feels safer. Use of mobile applications that allow live location sharing with trusted contacts was also cited as an additional precaution.
From an enforcement perspective, the Partnership reiterated that unlicensed taxis undermine the regulated trade and expose passengers to avoidable risk. Licensed drivers, it said, operate within a framework that includes criminal record checks, medical standards and routine vehicle inspections, all of which are absent in illegal operations.
Councillor Jeremy Cottam, the Chairman of the West Berkshire Licensing Committee, said: "Licensed taxi drivers undergo strict checks, carry proper insurance, and are subject to ongoing regulation, protections that simply don't exist when using so-called 'rogue' taxis."
"New Year's Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for late-night transport, and with demand high, some people may be tempted to accept lifts from unlicensed drivers. We urge everyone to think twice, doing so could leave you uninsured and vulnerable if something goes wrong."
Councillor Stephen O' Regan, Chairman of Bracknell Forest Council's Licensing and Safety Committee, said: "Our licensed taxis provide an invaluable service not just around Christmas and New Year but 365 days a year. While most passengers are polite and well-behaved, a minority have no qualms about being abusive to drivers, especially when they've had too much to drink. Taxi drivers should always be treated with respect and courtesy, and it is unacceptable for any driver to be put in fear for their safety while simply doing their job."
