TAXI TEST PURCHASE OPERATIONS: Is it a tool more authorities should use to tackle illegal taxi activity?
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 1 min read
Local authority test purchasing schemes have become a key tool in identifying and addressing illegal taxi operations across the UK. These covert operations involve licensing officers posing as passengers to detect drivers operating without the necessary licences or outside their permitted areas.
A recent example occurred in Reading, where a Slough-licensed driver was caught accepting a fare without a pre-booking, a breach of licensing rules. The driver was fined £788, received six penalty points, and had his licence revoked by Slough Borough Council.
The Department for Transport supports the use of test purchasing, stating that it can be a powerful tool in identifying non-compliant drivers and operators.
However, the legality of test purchasing has been scrutinised. In East Riding of Yorkshire Council v Dearlove [2012], the court examined whether a council’s test purchase constituted entrapment. The High Court concluded that the council’s actions were lawful, as they provided an opportunity for the defendant to commit an offence without coercion.
Despite these examples, not all local authorities conduct test purchasing operations. Given their effectiveness in enforcing licensing laws and protecting public safety, there is a question as to whether more licensing authorities should adopt such measures.
The use of test purchasing schemes by local authorities has proven effective in detecting and deterring illegal taxi operations. While legal considerations must be addressed, the benefits to public safety and regulatory compliance suggest that broader adoption of these schemes could be advantageous.
