Taxi Cop reports private hire driver illegally plying for hire during Bristol City Council checks
- Perry Richardson
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A proactive operation around the Forwards Festival on Sunday led to enforcement action against a private hire driver and several e-scooter riders in Bristol.
PC Patrick Quinton, the Avon and Somerset Police officer known as the Taxi Cop, joined Bristol City Council Licensing Officers for targeted checks on Whiteladies Road. During the hour-long visit, one private hire driver was reported for allegedly plying for hire without a pre-booking, which carries the consequence of no insurance cover for the journey. The driver denied the offence and the case will be sent to court.
The same vehicle was also found with a tyre below the legal tread limit. The driver will face a separate charge for that defect.
PC Quinton said he would provide an update following the court outcome.
In the same deployment, three fixed penalties of £100 were issued to e-scooter riders for carrying passengers. Tandem riding is not permitted and attracts enforcement where observed.
Illegally plying for hire remains a priority around major events and busy corridors, where demand peaks and compliance checks aim to protect passengers and compliant drivers. Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked through a licensed operator. Accepting a street hail removes the pre-booked status and the associated insurance cover for hire and reward.
Tyre condition is a routine focus during licensing and roadside checks. Drivers are reminded that tyres found below the legal limit can lead to prosecution and further licensing action by the local authority.
PC Quinton said on Sunday: “Amongst many other things, last night I spent an hour with Bristol City Council Licensing Officers at Whiteladies Rd for the end of the Forwards Festival. One driver was found to be illegally plying for hire (with the resultant No Insurance). As the offence was denied by the driver, the matter will be sent to Court. His PHV had a tyre under the legal limit, so he will be charged with that offence too. I will let you know what happens at Court.
“I also took the opportunity to issue three £100 tickets to e-scooter riders who had 2 people on the vehicle ("tandem riding").”
