An Accrington private hire driver has been handed a substantial fine totalling over £1,145 and eight penalty points after being caught illegally picking up passengers during an undercover enforcement operation in Blackpool.
Danyal Masood, 31, of Richmond Hill Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to plying for hire and driving without insurance at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 28 April. He received eight points on his driving licence and was fined £300, along with a £120 victim surcharge and £725 in costs.
Caught in Council Sting Operation
Blackpool Council brought the prosecution against Masood as part of a crackdown on illegal ranking – where private hire drivers unlawfully pick up passengers from the street or taxi ranks. The driver’s downfall came during a carefully orchestrated undercover operation.
Mr Masood was a licensed private hire driver at the time he was tested by Blackpool Council. Officers posing as customers approached his vehicle and he agreed to take an illegal fare. When he arrived at the pre-determined location, he was met by enforcement officers who promptly dealt with the matter.
Part of Major Crackdown
The prosecution was part of a wider enforcement campaign by Blackpool Council targeting drivers who operate outside the law. Blackpool Council’s Licensing Enforcement officers ran a spot-check operation in 2025 as part of its crackdown on illegal ranking. Over six operations between August and December, 95 spot checks were undertaken. Only one licence breach was discovered.
The regulations exist to maintain clear distinctions between different types of taxi services. Under UK law, two licensing regimes exist for cab drivers. Licensed Hackney Carriages – traditional taxis – can ply for hire picking up passengers from the street or taxi ranks in the area they are licensed. Private hire licence holders must only accept fares booked through a licensed operator but can operate across borders.
Insurance Invalidated by Illegal Pick-Up
The insurance charge is a crucial element of plying for hire offences. When a private hire driver accepts a fare without a booking, their vehicle insurance becomes invalid for that journey, leaving passengers unprotected in the event of an accident.
Cllr Paula Burdess, cabinet member for community safety, street scene and neighbourhoods, said: “The rules around taxi licensing exist to protect the public – if you get in a car that isn’t licensed for your journey it’s not insured, so if there’s an accident you’re at higher risk.
Warning to Other Drivers
Councillor Burdess added that “this crackdown was about ensuring residents and visitors are safe when using taxis in our town, and also about ensuring the playing field is fair and level for all operators. It’s reassuring that our officers found the vast majority of operators to be working within the bounds of the law and their licences.
The council confirmed: “We will continue to undertake spot checks like this and use enforcement action to halt illegal ranking. Any private hire drivers considering coming to Blackpool to do this should think twice as they will be caught and action taken”.
The case serves as a stark reminder to private hire drivers operating in popular tourist destinations that enforcement teams are actively monitoring compliance with licensing laws. With eight points now on his licence and over £1,000 in fines and costs to pay, Masood’s illegal pick-up has proven to be an expensive mistake.
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