Milton Keynes - Taxi Enforcement Operations

Milton Keynes have recently given a number of timely reminders to Private Hire Drivers regarding plying for trade and the Equality Act 2010.

Following the completion of criminal prosecutions Milton Keynes advertised the scale of potential penalties for plying for trade. Private Hire Drivers (PHD) may only accept work which is pre-booked. Unlike a Hackney Cab Driver, a PHD cannot simply be flagged down in the street or accept a job from a member of the public approaching them while parked.

The example given recounted how the offending driver accepted an illegitimate fare of £10 which resulted in a £270 fine, 6 points on his driving licence and prosecution costs of £500. A mandatory victim surcharge will also have to be paid.

In another press release made by Milton Keynes this week the consequence of refusing to carry an assistance dog was highlighted. s.170 of the Equality Act 2010 requires operators to accept bookings from, and drivers to carry assistance dogs without extra charge. In this instance the PHD was reported to have attended the pickup address but then driven off without collecting the customer, who was deaf/blind, when he saw her assistance dog.

The driver was fined him £300 in his absence for the offence and he was also ordered to pay costs of £315 as well as a victim surcharge of £30.

Drivers with allergies or some other medical ground can decline to carry assistance dogs but only with an exemption certificate issued by the Licensing Authority (under s.171 of the Act). In order to obtain such a certificate compelling evidence will be required by the Licensing Authority.