For current licence holders, the situation is often made worse if they have not declared the offence as required by licence conditions and it comes up at a later time when a DVLA check is completed. This indicates that either the licence holder was not taking their responsibilities to report matters seriously, or was deliberately trying to hide it from the council. Neither situation reflects well on the driver and raises serious further concerns about their suitability to hold a licence, in addition to the conviction itself.


Finally, a professional licence holder being caught using a mobile phone while driving can damage the driver’s reputation and trustworthiness, potentially leading to loss of business and clients.


In the case of the Guildford driver above, the licence holder did not receive a conviction from police for the offence but still lost first their school contract and then received a licensing sanction.


ALL THINGS LICENSING To conclude


While mobile phones are essential tools for licensed drivers, their use while driving, even to manage bookings, poses significant potential risks to road safety. By understanding the law and their responsibilities, licensed drivers can ensure a safer driving experience passengers.


for themselves and their


In an ever increasing technological world there is no better time to be part of an organisation keeping you up to date on licensing issues affecting the trade and I would again encourage members of the trade to join the Institute of Licensing.


For full details, please visit: www.instituteoflicensing.org


WARNING: COURIER FRAUD!


CABBIES PLEASE HELP COMBAT FRAUD WHICH TARGETS ELDERLY AND VULNERABLE VICTIMS


METHOD OF OPERATION: Elderly and vulnerable victims receive a telephone call on their landline from a person pretending to be a police officer or an authority figure who informs the victim of fraudulent activity on their bank account, claiming corrupt bank staff/police officers are involved.


INSTRUCTIONS: The victim is directed to attend their local bank to withdraw a large amount of cash or to purchase high-value items. The victim is instructed to return home, where these items will be collected by a so-called “police courier” for examination.


USE OF TAXIS: The victims often use local taxis for their journeys to and from the bank or post office.


COURIER ACTIVITY: The criminal, posing as a courier, then attends the victim’s address and collects the cash/valuables.


l Enquiries have established: several of these couriers travel by train originating from London. Upon arrival at local train stations, they hire the first available taxi from the rank.


l The courier directs the taxi to the victim’s address 74


and tells the driver to wait while they collect the package. The courier returns to the taxi, usually carrying a package, and heads back to the train station to get the train to London. Occasionally, they meet victims in car parks of retail parks.


REQUEST FOR ACTION


l Vigilance: Cabbies are asked to look out for journeys to and from local train stations by potential couriers.


l Reporting: If a suspected courier is collected as a passenger, call police on 999, provide your taxi vehicle registration, location and destination.


The relevant force control room will recognise this as courier fraud and deploy appropriate resources.


l Awareness: Taxi drivers are also asked to raise awareness among their elderly passengers and to be mindful of unusual repeat fares to local banks or locations. If such fares are identified, drivers are requested to contact the police.


YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!


APRIL 2025 PHTM


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