REVOKED: Cross-border working dual taxi and PHV driver fined and banned for illegally plying for hire in Reading
A Slough taxi and private hire driver has been fined £788, given six penalty points, and had his dual licence revoked after being caught illegally plying for hire in Reading.
Mohammad Qaiser Ayub held a Dual Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver licence issued by Slough Borough Council. This licence did not allow him to pick up passengers outside the Slough area without a prior booking.
On 24 February 2024, Reading licensing officers carried out a test purchase operation targeting illegal taxi activity. Officers flagged down Ayub’s Slough-licensed vehicle outside the Grosvenor Casino on Queens Road. He agreed to take them to an address in Slough for £40 without a pre-booking, breaching licensing rules.
Ayub later denied any wrongdoing during an interview under caution. However, on 3 March 2025, Reading Magistrates’ Court found him guilty. The following day, Slough Borough Council revoked his dual licence with immediate effect.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “This result is a testament to the continued success of our Licensing team in catching and prosecuting drivers who choose to operate outside of the law, taking trade away from local fully licensed and insured drivers.
“Crucially, if a member of the public gets into a vehicle operating unlawfully, they will not be covered by insurance in the event of an accident. Test purchasing exercises like this one by our Licensing officers are vital to ensure the standards expected of Private Hire drivers are upheld and to ensure the safety and welfare of the taxi travelling public.”
