Public urged to avoid unlicensed taxis after Sleaford driver caught operating illegally with a meter
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
A former taxi driver in Sleaford has surrendered his hire driver licence after he was caught operating an unlicensed vehicle, North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) has confirmed.
The man, previously licensed with the council, was found using a silver Skoda Kodiaq as a taxi despite it not being licensed as a hire vehicle. The car had a hackney carriage meter fitted but displayed no official taxi plates or markings.
Licensing officers from NKDC stopped the vehicle in Sleaford and found the driver carrying two passengers. While he initially claimed the passengers were not paying, he later admitted he had been working as a taxi using the unlicensed vehicle, blaming the use on his usual licensed vehicle being off the road.
Following the investigation, the driver voluntarily handed in his hire driver licence. As a result, neither he nor the vehicle now holds any form of taxi or private hire licence.
The Council’s Licensing Team also issued a suspension notice on his previously licensed vehicle after finding it unsafe for public use.
Despite this action, there are ongoing reports that the same vehicle is still being used for hire work. NKDC is now working with Lincolnshire Police to investigate whether illegal taxi operations are continuing.
Local residents are being urged to only use licensed taxis and private hire vehicles. Passengers should check that vehicles clearly display proper council-issued licence plates and that drivers are carrying valid ID badges.
Cllr Mark Smith, Executive Board Member with special interest in Public Protection, said: “It is important that people using taxis and private hire vehicles feel safe and confident with the cars they use, which is why we take our public protection responsibility so seriously; and equally why passengers take notice as without a car being properly licenced, none of the safeguards associated with a properly licensed vehicle and driver are in place.
“We would encourage anyone with any concerns, or any information about operating as an unlicensed driver or in unlicensed vehicles, to get in touch with our Licensing Team by emailing licensing@n-kesteven.gov.uk or by calling 01529 414155.”
