A private hire driver who pleaded guilty yesterday (Thursday 24 April 2025) to picking up passengers on the street, has been ordered to pay a total £3,326 by York Magistrates.
Zaid Saleem, of Girlington Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, aged 58, holds a private hire driver licence with Wolverhampton and Leeds Council, and drives for an operator called ‘Drive Private Hire’. He, like all private hire drivers, can only pick up fares pre-booked through the operator.
In May 2024, Mr Saleem accepted a passenger who was not pre-booked which was outside the terms of his insurance and in breach of the terms of his private hire licence. This puts passengers and other road users at risk as when a private hire driver takes passengers on journeys that are not pre-booked they are not insured. Furthermore, drivers who flout the law have a competitive advantage over those who comply. This is something the council receives complaints about.
On 25 May 2024, City of York Council Licensing Officers took part in one of a number of enforcement operations which take place regularly. This one was to detect private hire drivers who unlawfully take un-booked passengers, and it took place at York Racecourse and in the city centre.
That day, officers approached Mr Saleem in his private hire vehicle on Clock Tower Way near York Racecourse. They agreed that he would drive them to York railway station for a fare of £10 which breached his licence.
On 24 April 2025 at York Magistrates Court, Mr Saleem pleaded guilty to the offence of unlawfully plying for hire. The magistrate sentenced him to pay a fine of £90, a surcharge of £36 and costs of £3,200.
Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment at City of York Council, said:
If an unlicensed driver picks up a customer without a prior and formal booking they are not insured for the journey and are acting illegally.
“It is also important that those drivers who pay for the entitlement and license to pick up fares are protected from being undercut by those who do not.
“We will continue to investigate legitimate complaints and take appropriate legal action. Please report any taxi offences via licensing @york.gov.uk.”
Leeds and Wolverhampton Councils have been informed of the outcome to the case, so that they can review Mr Saleem’s taxi driver license status as a ‘fit and proper’ person.
Following a public consultation, the Council’s taxi licensing policy was updated in November 2024 and can be read here.