Uber driver fined and ordered to pay costs after illegally plying for hire

Guildford Borough Council has successfully prosecuted an Uber driver for illegally plying for hire in the town centre.

Guildford Magistrates Court was told at a hearing this month (14 March) that the driver was plying for hire in the early hours of Sunday 16 October 2016.

The driver agreed to take a member of the council's licensing staff on a journey that was not pre-booked, when outside Burger King in Guildford's Commercial Road.

The court fined the driver £300 and awarded costs of £1,100 to the council. The driver will also have to pay a £30 victim surcharge.

Cllr Graham Ellwood, Lead Councillor for Licensing and Community Safety at Guildford, said: "This success in combating illegal plying for hire is good news for public safety - as the driver's insurance is void when they ply for hire. It sends a clear signal that we will not tolerate illegal touting for business. We are committed to protecting the public and will prosecute those found abusing the system.

"Our licensing officers proactively work day and night to protect the public from individuals putting their safety at risk. Officers are regularly out in town monitoring the Guildford taxi trade, and other operators, such as Uber, to ensure that they are not plying for hire, which only Guildford licensed Hackney Carriages are permitted to do."