Taxi driver loses Cambridgeshire licence after unlicensed and uninsured pickup incident involving fellow cabbie
A Cambridge-based taxi driver has lost his licence after failing two appeals against the decision to revoke it, following an unlicensed pickup that breached private hire vehicle regulations.
Ahmed Al Ansar, 36, found himself at the centre of a dispute after picking up a passenger, an off-duty licensed taxi driver, without the required private hire vehicle licence and necessary vehicle signage.
The incident came to light when the passenger, another licensed taxi driver under South Cambridgeshire District Council, reported the breach.
According to the council’s records, Ansar attempted a hasty online application for a private hire licence after the journey took place, in what appeared to be a bid to cover his tracks. However, the court dismissed this as a defence, deeming it insufficient.
The consequences for Ansar were significant. Without a valid private hire licence, his vehicle insurance was also rendered void. This breach led to the immediate revocation of his taxi driver’s licence. Despite claiming that the pickup was accidental, Ansar’s initial appeal was rejected by Cambridge Magistrates’ Court in November 2023.
Undeterred, Ansar pursued a second appeal at Peterborough Crown Court, but a year later, the court upheld the original decision. The outcome left Ansar facing costs totalling £4,518, with £1,967 from the first appeal and an additional £2,551 from the latest ruling.
The initial complaint lodged in April 2021 noted that the vehicle lacked a visible plate on the rear, and council-issued or operator-specific door signs. When questioned by the passenger, Ansar claimed an exemption from displaying these identifiers but failed to present any exemption documentation. The passenger, experienced in the industry, notified Ansar of his intention to report the incident and substantiated the complaint with photos of both the vehicle and driver badge.
Ansar was subsequently invited to two interviews under caution with South Cambridgeshire District Council’s licensing team, but he cancelled on both occasions. Based on the evidence, including the complainant’s statement and supporting photos, the Council’s Principal Licensing Officer determined it was in the public interest to revoke Ansar’s licence.
Cllr Natalie Warren Green, Lead Cabinet Member for Licensing at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Ensuring passenger safety is our highest priority. All private hire vehicles must be roadworthy and meet strict legal standards, as passengers place their trust in the drivers who transport them. The council has proven that this individual does not meet the standards of a fit and proper taxi driver, leading the court to revoke his licence. As the licensing authority, we are committed to protecting the public and maintaining the highest standards in private hire services."
