Posted on the 8th June 2026 in PHTM News

STOCKTON TIKTOK CABBIE WINS BACK LICENCE AFTER COMMITTEE PROBE INTO DRIVING VIDEOS

A taxi driver who faced losing his livelihood over social media videos filmed from his cab has had his private hire licence reinstated by Stockton Council.

The driver’s licence was initially suspended following allegations that he was using a mobile phone while driving, a claim he fiercely disputed during a licensing committee meeting.

The motorist explained that the clips on his TikTok account were captured entirely hands-free using three cameras, including a GoPro mounted to film outside the vehicle.

He stated that the footage automatically synced to his phone, allowing him to edit and upload the videos as a hobby when he was not working.

His representative, Simon Walker, defended him as a family man with an unblemished record, adding that the driver also used "AI technology" for fun to generate some of his content.

Licensing officers challenged this defence by presenting video clips and screenshots that showed members of the public being filmed without their knowledge. Officers highlighted that one video was "shaky and filmed horizontally displaying movement inconsistent with a fixed dashcam or hands-free set-up," while another appeared to show the driver using a camera filter "whilst holding a phone or recording device whilst his vehicle appeared in motion."

Mr. Walker countered that one video was shot by the driver’s nephew from the passenger seat, and another was sent by a friend involving someone who had allegedly tried to steal from the cabbie.

Ultimately, the committee ruled that the driver remained a "fit and proper person" and chose to lift the suspension. However, they issued a stern warning regarding his online presence, telling him "he must be careful what he uploads online, and the comments that he makes on the footage, as this could reflect badly on [him] as a driver, and on the council as the licensing authority."

In a separate case during the same meeting, the committee took a harder line against another applicant who was seeking a licence despite a June 2024 conviction for driving without insurance.

The applicant, who was caught delivering food for Uber Eats, claimed he was unaware his "pay as you go" insurance payment had been declined by his bank.

Despite his plea and past driving experience in Pakistan, the committee stuck strictly to their policy, which bars drivers with major traffic offences for at least four years. Declaring they were not satisfied that passengers would be safe, they ruled he was not a fit and proper person and rejected his application.


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