Wrexham Taxi Driver Prosecuted For Driving Without License

A Wrexham cab driver was prosecuted at Wrexham Magistrates Court for driving a private hire vehicle on a school run without a license.

Kerry Wycherley of Coed Y Glyn, Wrexham pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £195.

Magistrates heard that Mr Wycherley drove to Alexandra School, Wrexham to collect a pupil for a school contract journey earlier this year.

He was approached by a licensing enforcement officer who was at the school carrying out checks. The officer discovered that Mr Wycherley did not have a license to drive the vehicle.

Mr Wycherley had previously been licensed as a private hire driver but it had expired 6 weeks previously.

He had not renewed his license despite being sent several reminder letters by the council.

Mr Wycherley did hold a hackney carriage license and when interviewed by the enforcement officer he said that he believed this would also allow him to drive a private hire vehicle.

The officer pointed out that was not the case and that as Mr Wycherley had several years experience as the operator of a well known private hire company, he should therefore be aware of the licensing regulations.

Alternative arrangements were made to transport the child home in a licensed vehicle.

Mr Andy Lewis, Head of Housing and Public Protection at Wrexham Council said: “Our licensing enforcement team carry out regular inspections of private hire and hackney licenses.

“The safety of the public is paramount and it is essential that the public can use these services with the full confidence that drivers and vehicles are properly licensed and insured. A licensed driver will always have a current license badge on display and available for view by the customer.”