Police report ‘Yellow Badge’ taxi picking up passengers in central London location

A ‘Yellow Badge’ suburban taxi driver has been reported by the police for illegally picking up passengers in central London.

Yesterday officers from Metropolitan Police’s Roads and Transport Policing Command caught a Suburban Merton only licensed taxi driver picking up in the central WC1 area of the capital.

The driver was reported at the scene for accepting a booking without a operator’s licence.

All taxi drivers must wear a badge and show signage on their vehicle which displays to the public that they have passed the Knowledge of London exam. Drivers with a green badge are licensed to pick passengers up anywhere in London and drivers with a yellow badge specialise in local suburban areas.

Yellow badge taxis are however able to pick up passengers that have pre-booked via an app or operator outside of their licensing areas.

The testing period for the All London green badge takes significantly longer than that of the Suburban yellow badge taxi licenses.

The Met Police Roads and Transport team wrote on social media: "#CabsUnit working with @TfLTPH Officers yesterday caught a Yellow Badge (Merton area) Taxi picking up in the WC1 area.

"Driver reported at the roadside by TfL for accepting a booking with out an operators licence."

Image credit (Yellow Badge): Transport for London