Private hire driver license revoked for displaying illegal number plates

As part of the joint enforcement operation during Cheltenham’s November race meet, on Friday 15 November 2025, a Wolverhampton licensed private hire vehicle was inspected by the Avon and Somerset Police taxi compliance officer in company with a Cheltenham Borough Council licensing officer. 

As well as finding that the private hire driver was failing to wear his badge, or have his second one on display as required, the vehicle was found to be displaying “ghost plates”.  Ghost plates are illegal number plates which bypass ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), therefore avoiding some camera enforced restrictions and charges.

The vehicle licence was immediately revoked by the police who also took other enforcement action, and the matter was referred the City of Wolverhampton licensing team (CWC). 

As a result of this incident, it was found that the driver had previously supplied a fraudulent insurance certificate to the CWC licensing team.

The CWC licensing committee chose to revoke both the private hire driver and vehicle licences as the driver was found to be no longer fit and proper to hold any licence with them. The driver will be placed on the National Register of Revocations, so if he applies to any other licensing authority for a taxi or private hire licence, they will be aware of this case.

Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “Cheltenham Borough Council is committed to ensuring the safety and legality of taxi and private hire services in our town, including licensed taxis from other authorities that support our visitor economy to ensure safe journey’s within and beyond Cheltenham’s boundaries. Ghost Plates are obviously illegal and anyone who tries to mislead authorities, residents and visitors to our town, need to take note, you are highly likely to be caught with detrimental outcomes.

“This successful case of partnership working sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate illegal activity in our town and ensure that we protect Cheltenham residents and our visitors through strong partnership working with other police forces and licensing authorities. I would like to thank our licensing team and our partners for their diligent work in the successful conclusion of this case.”

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "We take our licensing responsibilities seriously and our officers work proactively across the country, wherever our drivers work, supporting and carrying out regular operations with partners to protect the public and ensure they travel in safety.

"We will continue to support Cheltenham Borough Council to make sure vehicles meet the requirements to carry members of the public. This includes cracking down on taxis using 'ghost plates', which are illegal."

The Avon and Somerset Police taxi compliance officer, PC Quinton said: “The overwhelming majority of taxi and private hire drivers are safe, reliable, hardworking and trustworthy. Those who are dishonest, as in this case, can expect to be investigated and appropriate action taken by both the police and Licensing Authority - regardless of where they are licensed.

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Notes to editors:

Anyone can report their concerns regarding unlicensed taxis or private hire vehicles by emailing [email protected].