The Daily Echo has reported on two Private Hire car drivers  who have been fined in the city, after picking up passengers who had not pre-booked.  

 

As the Southampton Hackney Association have mentioned on many occasions, it is only the white licensed taxi drivers who can pick passengers up from the roadside in and around our city at taxi ranks. The various private hire vehicles , (which can be any colour) that you see around are not insured or licensed to do so.

 

The courtoom heard were told that Southampton city council officials had carried out one of their regular random checks on Private Hire cars, and spotted one of the drivers picking up passengers illegally in Bedford Place. The driver pleaded guilty to breaching his private hire licence and not having the appropriate insurance.

 

The second driver picked up two customers at Leisureworld, not realising they were city council officials carrying out checks on Private Hire Drivers behaviour. This driver also admitted two other charges, and was fined £200 with a £30 surcharge fee and £200 costs.

 

The Southampton Hackney Association are keen to underline that the white taxi cabs found across the city are licensed taxis. Licensing is carried out by Southampton City Council. As such it is safe to hail them at the roadside, or to get in at one of the cities many taxi ranks - here is a list to help you find us: