According to a report by the Telegraph & Argus, a Bradford private hire driver attempted to avoid a six-point penalty by claiming his wife had been behind the wheel during a motorway speeding offence — despite the fact she didn’t even hold a driving licence. The court heard that the driver had been caught speeding on the M1 and later submitted false information in an attempt to avoid responsibility.
DM News Commentary
Attempts like this are taken extremely seriously by the courts because they go beyond a simple speeding ticket — they fall into the territory of perverting the course of justice, which can lead to far harsher outcomes than the original offence.
For the private hire trade, this case is yet another reminder of how strict licensing authorities and courts are when it comes to driver integrity. When a driver is licensed to carry paying passengers, councils expect honesty, transparency, and compliance at all times. Any attempt to falsify information — especially around motoring offences — risks not only court prosecution but also the immediate loss of their private hire licence.
In real-world terms, this can mean the end of someone’s ability to work, often overnight.
Private hire drivers are already operating in a tough climate with tightening regulations, increased enforcement operations, and ongoing scrutiny from councils and police. Incidents like this only give authorities more reason to clamp down further on the wider industry.
It’s a cautionary tale for every driver: taking the points is always better than taking a criminal charge — and potentially losing your livelihood.
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