Soham Taxi Driver Stripped of Licence Over Undeclared Offences

A private hire driver from Soham has lost his licence and been ordered to pay over £1,000 after failing to disclose driving offences to the local authority. Kambiz Akhondi, aged 59, was found to have breached licensing conditions by not informing South Cambridgeshire District Council of three speeding endorsements received between 2021 and 2022.

The council initially refused Mr Akhondi’s renewal application in August 2024. Under local licensing rules, private hire drivers are required to report any penalty points on their driving record. His case was reviewed by the council’s Licensing Sub Committee, which upheld the refusal. Mr Akhondi then took the matter to Peterborough Magistrates’ Court in April 2025, where the appeal was dismissed.

The court ruled that he was not a fit and proper person to hold a taxi licence. As a result, the council was awarded £1,182 in legal costs.

Rob Lewis, Service Manager for Licensing at South Cambridgeshire District Council, stated:

"The safety of the public is our highest priority, and we expect all licensed drivers to meet the standards required of them."

”The decision to refuse this licence, and the dismissal of the subsequent appeal, sends a clear message - those who do not fully comply with the rules and fail to disclose penalty points will face serious consequences.”