Police probe wrong insurance shock for 50 Private Hire cars

Source: The Star

FIFTY private hire taxi drivers were unwittingly plying their trade on the streets of Sheffield without correct insurance – after paying for a policy which turned out to be invalid. Detectives from South Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation into the situation, assisted by Sheffield Council.

The drivers involved, who leased their own vehicles, worked for companies including leading private hire firm City Taxis, which said it immediately stopped offering jobs to them as soon as the problem was discovered – until the cabbies took out new policies.

The Star understands the situation only came to light when police stopped a taxi in Rotherham for a routine check and found the insurance was invalid.

Subsequent checks found other drivers who had arranged insurance through the same provider were not covered.

A source said: “It could have had very serious consequences for the drivers concerned because driving without insurance is a strict liability offence and they could have been held liable even though it was not their fault that the insurance was not valid.

“The drivers involved did not realise there was a problem. They had taken out insurance with the provider because they were being charged around £40 a week, rather than £85 a week which they normally pay.”

He added that it was not known how long the drivers had been working without valid insurance.

Bob Turnbull, of City Taxis, said: “We found out when we received a phone call from the council and we cancelled the drivers’ jobs straight away. About 18 of our drivers were affected. We did not allow them to work until they arranged valid insurance.”

Hafeas Rehman, chairman of Sheffield Taxi Trade Association, which represents black cab drivers, said “a couple” of Hackney carriages were affected by the problem as well as the private hire drivers.

He said: “It’s very worrying – if the driver has a serious accident and then it is discovered the insurance is invalid he could face serious consequences.”

Sheffield Council said it did not wish to comment due to the police investigation.

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “Detectives are liaising with the Taxi Licensing Department at the council and are conducting an investigation that is likely to be protracted.”

Tagged as: Taxi Insurance