Unlicensed Taxi Driver Fined After 543 Illegal Journeys

An unlicensed taxi driver in Scunthorpe has been fined £1,557 and had his driving licence endorsed with eight penalty points after carrying out hundreds of illegal journeys. The case, investigated by council licensing officers, highlights ongoing efforts to maintain public safety in the private hire industry. Similar cases of enforcement against unlicensed drivers, such as a TfL-licensed driver fined for unauthorized pickups, demonstrate the widespread issue of unlawful taxi operations.

The driver, Abdul Musaher, 35, was previously licensed as a private hire vehicle driver, but his licence was revoked in 2021 due to an ongoing investigation by Humberside Police. Despite this, he continued working for Ashby Cars Ltd, completing 543 trips without valid authorisation. Each journey was uninsured, violating the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The investigation began when South Yorkshire Police sought assistance from the council in identifying the driver of a vehicle caught speeding on the M1. Mr. Musaher was linked to the vehicle but falsely named another person to avoid penalty points. Evidence collected from Ashby Cars Ltd’s office confirmed his involvement in unlawful operations.

In court, Mr. Musaher admitted to the offences and misleading authorities. The eight penalty points added to his record brought his total to 17, exceeding the threshold for disqualification. However, due to family circumstances, the court allowed him to continue driving.

Ashby Cars Ltd faced separate enforcement action, leading to the revocation of its Private Hire Operator’s Licence and all associated vehicle licences.

Councillor Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for licensing, commented:

"This irresponsible and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated, as it leaves people at risk through uninsured journeys and breaks trust and confidence in our responsible businesses."

He further emphasized the council's commitment to public safety and strict enforcement against unlicensed activity.