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Vehicles impounded by Police
Five private hire drivers face an uncertain future following a joint operation by Watford Borough Council and police last Friday night (10 February 2011).
The late-night swoop was the latest in a long series of operations to detect and deter drivers from illegally plying for hire, and putting the public at risk.
Councillor Jan Brown, chair of the Council’s Licensing Committee, said: “This is the latest in a series of operations under the banner of ‘Altogether..a good night out in Watford.’
“People going out at night should make sure they only use licensed taxis, or genuinely pre-booked private hire vehicles. Passengers who might have used any of the vehicles caught in last week’s operation might not have been insured in the event of an accident, and – particularly in the case of the driver from London – ripped off by drivers who in all likelihood do not know the local area as well as Watford drivers.”
During the three hour operation, police officers identified drivers who picked up passengers without first booking them through a licensed operator. They were then questioned by council and police officers, who also checked that their vehicle documents such as road tax, insurance and MOT were up to date.
All five of the vehicles were impounded by the police under the Road Traffic Act 1988 as officers felt there were reasonable grounds they were not being driven in accordance with their insurance certificates. Most private hire vehicle insurance certificates contain a restriction against plying for hire – waiting for passengers in the streets. Only hackney carriages licensed by Watford Borough Council can do that.
The drivers – who worked for firms in London, Hertsmere and Three Rivers – will now be considered for prosecution by the council.
The maximum fine for plying for hire is £2500 and disqualification from holding a DVLA driving licence to drive any vehicle. The maximum fine for driving without valid insurance is £5000 and penalty points endorsed on the licence.
Licensed hackney carriages in Watford have a white licence plate on the rear, and the council’s crest on the front doors; private hire vehicles have a yellow licence plate on the rear and the operators’ name on the front door.
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