Posted on the 16th June 2026 in PHTM News

UNLICENSED CABBIE FINED AFTER ILLEGALLY USING UNINSURED VEHICLE FOR DURHAM COUNTY SCHOOL RUN

A licensed taxi driver has been fined after he was caught illegally using an unlicensed and uninsured vehicle to transport children to and from school in County Durham.

Keith Lambton, 53, of Chester-le-Street, was contracted by Durham County Council to safely collect up to five children, aged 11 to 16, from various addresses and drive them to school.

The illicit operation was uncovered when council enforcement officers spotted Lambton picking up the children in a vehicle that did not have a valid taxi licence.

Peterlee Magistrates' Court heard that when officers confronted Lambton on the scene, he admitted he knew the vehicle was unlicensed. He explained that his regular, fully licensed taxi had broken down that afternoon and he had used the alternative vehicle to ensure the council contract was still fulfilled, adding that he had already submitted a licence application for the new car.

Although Lambton was ordered to leave the area immediately, subsequent CCTV checks revealed that he had also used the exact same unlicensed vehicle to collect the school children the previous day. Furthermore, checks with his insurance provider confirmed that he was entirely uninsured to use that specific vehicle for commercial collections.

During his formal interview, Lambton confessed to the licensing and insurance breaches, stating that he "realised this was a mistake, but that it was his first in all his years as a licensed driver."

Durham County Council has strongly condemned the driver's actions. Owen Cleugh, the council's safer places manager, emphasised the strict safety protocols surrounding school transport contracts.

"We carry out enforcement of our home to school contracts to ensure that the drivers and vehicles are correctly licensed as we take the safety of our children and the travelling public very seriously," Cleugh said. He added: "Hopefully this case demonstrates that we will take swift action against any driver without the proper license or insurance."

Lambton faced immediate penalties in court for the safety violations. He was hit with a £280 fine and ordered to pay £288 in court costs alongside an £80 victim surcharge, bringing his total financial penalty to £568.

In addition to the fines, the court slapped six penalty points onto his driving licence.


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