Taxi Driver Fined and Banned After Operating Illegally in Reading

A South Oxfordshire taxi driver has been fined and banned from driving after operating illegally in Reading. Mr. Talal Bin Mumtaz Raja, a licensed Private Hire and Hackney Carriage driver, was found guilty of four offenses at Reading Magistrates Court on 7 April 2025.

On 23 March 2024, Mr. Raja was caught in an undercover operation by Reading Licensing officers. He had agreed to pick up an officer outside the Penta Hotel on Oxford Road, Reading, without a prior booking, offering a ride to Tilehurst for £12. While Mr. Raja was licensed as a Hackney Carriage driver, his license only allowed him to pick up passengers in his licensed area, South Oxfordshire, not in Reading.

This incident highlights the growing concerns over unlicensed taxi operations in Reading, following a similar case where an Uber driver was fined for operating illegally in the area. You can read more about this in a related article on illegal taxi operations in Reading.

The investigation revealed that at the time of the incident, Mr. Raja's driving and vehicle licenses had been suspended due to his failure to complete mandatory disability training, which is required for all taxi drivers. As a result, the magistrates imposed a £700 fine for the offenses of operating without insurance and plying for hire illegally. Mr. Raja was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £280. In addition, he faces a six-month driving ban, starting in April 2025.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, emphasized the seriousness of these violations, saying:

"This is the second successful prosecution of a taxi driver illegally plying for hire in Reading in just a few weeks, thanks to the hard work of Reading’s Licensing team."

He further added that such actions undermine public trust and safety:

"This result emphasises our message that behaviour of this kind will not be tolerated. Private Hire and Hackney Carriage customers are entitled to trust that the person driving is properly vetted, authorised, checked, and licensed."

Authorities have made it clear that they will continue to take firm action against unlicensed drivers to ensure public safety and maintain confidence in local taxi services.