Private hire driver carried out 205 jobs without valid licence or insurance

Khalid Bashir said a lack of understanding of English meant he did not realise that he was not allowed to work while Bradford Council was still processing his taxi licence renewal.

Because of this he transported passengers for his employer, Keighley based Aireside Private Hire, for a month while he did not have a valid licence.

The lack of a licence meant he also did not have correct insurance.

He has since lost his licence, but on Friday Magistrates gave him the benefit of the doubt and decided to impose no further punishment,

He told the court that during the period he did not have a valid licence his employers still provided him with a vehicle, and allowed him to carry out jobs.

Between October 8 and November 8 Bashir, of Dalton Terrace, Keighley, carried out 205 jobs – making over £1,300 in payments, while he was uninsured and without a licence.

He appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court on Friday charged with driving a private hire vehicle without a licence, and driving without proper insurance.

He admitted both charges, but argued that “special reasons” meant he should not face any further punishment.

Imran Hussain, prosecuting on behalf of Bradford Council, told the court that Bashir’s licence was due for renewal on October 7 2025.

Bashir had applied for it to be renewed – but the Council’s licensing department discovers an undisclosed report that he had committed a mobile phone offence while driving in 2023.

This meant the licence renewal process was put on hold.

But despite not receiving any paperwork to say his licence had been renewed, Bashir carried on driving.

Speaking through an interpreter, Bashir claimed he struggled to read official paperwork in English.

He said he often would ask his wife, cousin or colleagues to read the paperwork and let him know what he needed to do.

He told the court that once applying for his licence renewal “I was under the assumption I was able to drive. I had no other communication from the Council.”

Ibrar Hussain, defending, asked about his employers, adding: “Did the company continue to provide you with a vehicle to drive in this period?”

Bashir replied: “Yes.”

Mr Hussain said: “Did anyone at the company tell you you weren’t entitled to drive in this period?”

Bashir replied: “No.”

After a deliberation, Magistrates agreed that there were special circumstances – that the crime was due to a misunderstanding rather than any attempt to break the law.

They gave Bashir an absolute discharge.

In May Imran Khan, the boss of Aireside Private Hire, was found guilty of employing a driver without a proper licence.

He was fined £220, ordered to pay a court surcharge of £88 and Council costs of £600.