Unlicensed taxi driver fined for ferrying vulnerable children

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 16:45 · Archive

An unlicensed taxi driver was convicted of transporting vulnerable children to and from school in Oxfordshire while his licence was suspended.

Tariq Mehmood, 48, of Hamilton Road in Reading, was convicted of driving a Hackney carriage without a valid licence, operating without valid insurance and failing to return his council-issued driver's badge when his licence was suspended. He worked as a taxi driver between December 9 2024 and January 8 2025 while unlicensed, conducting school transport work taking vulnerable children to and from school in Oxfordshire.

Mehmood had held a Hackney carriage driver's licence with South Oxfordshire District Council from May 2023. The licence was suspended in December 2024 when his enhanced criminal record check subscription, known as a DBS Update Service subscription, lapsed. All licensed drivers must maintain this subscription to allow the council to monitor their records and ensure they remain safe to carry passengers.

The council discovered his unlicensed activity after Mehmood was involved in an altercation at a school. Because he was not licensed, his insurance did not cover the journeys he made with the children. At High Wycombe Magistrates' Court, Mehmood pleaded not guilty to all three charges but did not attend his trial. He was found guilty in his absence. District Judge Sharma fined him £660, ordered a victim surcharge of £264 and prosecution costs of £1,000, totalling £1,924. Eight penalty points were also added to his DVLA licence.

How it is being reported

• Unlicensed taxi driver, 48, picked up vulnerable children to and from schoolAn unlicensed taxi driver continued to ferry vulnerable to and from school in Oxfordshire has been named and shamed.Oxfordshire Guardian · 4 Nov, 16:00
• Unlicensed taxi driver, 48, picked up vulnerable children to and from schoolAn unlicensed taxi driver continued to ferry vulnerable to and from school in Oxfordshire has been named and shamed.Oxford Mail · 4 Nov, 16:00

In this story: Tariq Mehmood · South Oxfordshire District Council · High Wycombe Magistrates' Court · Oxfordshire · Reading

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