Edinburgh’s licensed taxi trade has reacted with anger and disbelief after a private hire car (PHC) driver was suspended for just one week following findings that he illegally plied for hire, carried out a passenger journey without a valid pre-booking, and overcharged the customer.
The decision was made by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee. DM News understands the case has triggered a wave of formal complaints from within the trade, with Unite the Union and the Association of Hackney Carriage Drivers of the City of Edinburgh both raising serious concerns directly with the council.
“Not a minor breach”
In correspondence sent directly to DM News and the council, trade representatives argue that the offence goes to the heart of the private hire regulatory system.
Keith Auld, a licensed Hackney Carriage driver, Unite the Union representative, and representative of the Association of Hackney Carriage Drivers of the City of Edinburgh, said illegal plying for hire is not a technical error but a fundamental breach of the rules designed to protect public safety and ensure fair competition.
He also challenged comments made during the hearing by Councillor Neil Ross, who suggested there may have been “confusion” around the breach. According to the trade, a PHC driver with seven years’ experience cannot reasonably claim ignorance of the basic requirement that all private hire journeys must be pre-booked.
Deterrence questioned
Drivers say the severity and timing of the penalty has further inflamed tensions. A one-week suspension imposed in January — traditionally one of the quietest months of the year — is widely viewed within the trade as failing to act as a deterrent.
Several drivers told DM News that such outcomes risk sending a message that illegal behaviour carries minimal consequence, particularly when compared with sanctions faced by Hackney Carriage drivers for licensing breaches.
Insurance and criminal implications raised
Trade representatives have also asked whether the council considered the potential insurance implications of the offence. A PHC driver carrying passengers without a valid booking may not be covered by private hire insurance, potentially exposing passengers and the wider public to significant risk.
Clarification has been sought on whether the incident was referred to Police Scotland for consideration of offences beyond licensing matters. At the time of publication, no confirmation has been provided.
The trade has also pointed to enforcement practices in England, where illegal plying for hire is often treated as a criminal offence, with drivers facing substantial fines and penalty points in addition to licensing action.
Concerns spill into real life
In a separate letter to the council’s licensing manager, another licensed driver warned that illegal plying for hire is now happening “nightly across the city”, particularly around busy ranks and nightlife hotspots.
The driver described an incident involving his daughter, who was approached by a private hire vehicle while waiting at a taxi rank on Lothian Road. When she challenged the driver, he swore at her before driving off. The incident has been cited by drivers as an example of how weak enforcement can translate into real public safety concerns, especially for young women travelling at night.
DM News Commentary
This case highlights a growing fault line in Edinburgh’s taxi and private hire system. Hackney Carriage drivers operate under strict conditions, face heavy penalties for breaches, and are highly visible and accountable. When private hire drivers are found to be plying for hire — a clear and long-established offence — and receive what many see as a symbolic sanction, confidence in the licensing regime erodes rapidly.
The issue is no longer just about fairness within the trade. Questions around insurance validity, passenger safety, and enforcement consistency are now front and centre. With Unite the Union and the Association of Hackney Carriage Drivers formally involved, pressure is mounting on the City of Edinburgh Council to demonstrate that licensing rules are meaningful and enforced consistently.
DM News has seen the full correspondence submitted to the council and understands that drivers are now seeking clarity on what practical enforcement steps will follow. At the time of publication, the council has not issued a public response addressing the concerns raised.
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