Is your ride home safe?
'Bogus' taxi drivers in Plymouth are cashing in on the current demand during busy nights out by offering cheap lifts
People in Plymouth are being urged to stay safe following a growing number of complaints regarding unlicensed 'taxi' drivers.
The 'bogus' drivers are cashing in on the current demand during busy nights out by offering cheap lifts, some for as little as £5 for a return journey to the City Centre.
The City Council says there are 'significant dangers' involved with travelling in unsafe or uninsured cars with drivers who are not properly vetted.
The local authority adds that it is undercutting licensed taxi and private hire vehicle fares and harming the livelihoods of Council approved drivers.
Councillor John Riley the Cabinet Member responsible for Community Safety and Licensing said: "We want everyone to enjoy their nights out in Plymouth which is why we are urging people to take sensible steps to avoid unscrupulous bogus taxi drivers who put earning illegal extra money before people’s safety.
"Using an unlicensed vehicle could put your safety in jeopardy and in the worst case scenario, could be the last journey you make. No one wants their lives devastated by a car accident they could be uninsured for just because of the desire to get home quickly after a night out.
"We are urging people to only use a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle and if not, to have a designated driver within their group on a night out."
Cllr John Riley - Plymouth City Council
The Council’s Licensing Team have already contacted several drivers who have been advertising on social media, but there are still a number operating illegally in the city.
Drivers who carry passengers for a fee without a taxi or private hire licence are committing a number of offences and could face prosecution and fines or points on their licence.
Residents are being urged to report rogue taxi drivers either via the Council's website, or by emailing taxi.licensing@plymouth.gov.uk.