BIRMINGHAM PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER HIT WITH £1,500 BILL FOR ILLEGAL CITY CENTRE PICKUPS

A private hire driver has been hit with a massive court bill plus points on his licence after being caught illegally picking up passengers in Birmingham city centre.

The driver was intercepted by police after he picked up two women on Navigation Street last September.

While he held a valid private hire licence, he admitted to illegally plying for hire. The move proved costly, as the driver was ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.

He also received eight penalty points on his licence, leaving him just four points away from a potential driving ban.

Police officials stressed that these rules exist to protect the public, as unbooked trips leave no digital paper trail.

Chief Inspector Vicki Stott noted that "the safety of everyone coming in and out of the city centre is paramount."

She added: "An un-booked journey is dangerous for the passenger, as there is no record of the journey which can be traced."

The crackdown is part of a broader effort to protect people, particularly women and girls, from unregulated travel.

Stott praised the majority of drivers who follow the rules, stating: "The vast majority of private hire drivers are operating legitimately and responsibly, and it’s not fair when someone breaks the law to make quick money."

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