An unlicensed taxi driver was fined £475 and was given six penalty points at Belfast Magistrates' Court today, leading to a six-month driving ban due to an accumulation of points.

Mr Mark Burns, 50, of Springfield Road, Belfast, had contested the offences. He was fined £75 for using an unlicensed taxi, £75 for not holding a taxi driver’s licence, £75 for not holding a taxi operator’s licence and £250 plus six penalty points for having no insurance. Mr Burns was also ordered to pay the offender’s levy.

On Sunday 28 May 2023, plain clothed enforcement officers from the Driver & Vehicle Agency observed a silver car plying for hire along Donegal Street, Belfast. The driver agreed to transport the officers despite the absence of taxi licence plates on his vehicle and when their journey was completed, he was formally interviewed, and his vehicle was seized.