A private hire driver has received a fine and must pay £5000 in costs after plying for hire at a taxi rank in Alexandra Road, Aldershot, on 27 May last year, without the appropriate licence.
Saifullah Achakzai, 24, from Hill Lane, Southampton, was working for Uber as a Private Hire Driver, licensed by Southampton City Council, but was plying for hire at a taxi rank in Alexandra Road, in Aldershot.
He was prosecuted by Rushmoor Borough Council at Aldershot Magistrates Court on 10 December.
He was found guilty, and received a £300 fine, £120 victim surcharge and must pay £5000 in costs.
Rushmoor Borough Council Cabinet member for Pride in Place and Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Christine Guinness, said: “Drivers and vehicles licensed with other councils can only pick up outside of the area where they are licensed if they have a prior booking through a licensed operator.
“If people want to get a taxi from a rank or hail one in the street, it must be a hackney carriage (in Rushmoor these will be wheelchair accessible vehicles, with a roof light and a white/ teal taxi plate on the back) licensed in the area where they are. This is important because Private Hire Drivers taking passengers without a prior booking may not be insured.”
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