TfL private hire driver fined after taking illegal booking in Avon and Somerset without required operator's licence
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 12
- 1 min read
A London-licensed private hire driver has been fined and handed six DVLA penalty points after illegally accepting a booking in Avon and Somerset without the required operator licence.
PC Patrick Quinton, known as the ‘Taxi Cop’ for Avon and Somerset Police, stopped the driver in July 2023 after spotting a vehicle carrying passengers in the region. On inspection, it was found the journey had no official booking through a licensed private hire operator. Instead, the driver had arranged the job directly with the customer, breaching licensing rules.
The driver was charged with having no insurance and acting as a private hire operator without the correct licence. The case was recently concluded at Bath Magistrates’ Court, where the driver pleaded guilty. He received six penalty points, a £700 fine and was ordered to pay £390 in costs.
PC Quinton said it can take time to reach outcomes in such cases but confirmed he would continue to share results with local drivers when possible. It remains unclear whether Transport for London has taken any further action in response to the conviction.
PC Quinton said: “Last July, I stopped and checked a London driver with passengers on board in our area. There was no PH Operator booking for the journey although the driver had prearranged it with the customer. The driver was charged with No Insurance and Acting as an Operator without a licence.
“Last week, Bath Magistrates accepted his guilty plea and sentenced him to 6 DVLA points, £700 fine and £390 costs.”
