TAXI drivers have been warned to ensure they keep their licences up to date after an unlicensed driver was ordered to pay more than £1,100 in fines and costs after a hearing at Truro Magistrates Court.

Anthony Downer, 59, of Mevagissey, pleaded guilty to charges of driving a private hire vehicle whilst not holding the required private hire vehicle driver’s licence at a hearing last week.

He was handed a fine of £80, an order to pay £1,000 towards the council’s prosecution costs, plus a £30 victim surcharge.

Cornwall Council had been contacted by Downer’s employer requesting confirmation of the expiry date of his driver’s licence.

However, the licence had expired and Downer had continued to drive private hire vehicles with the required driver’s licence.

He told magistrates that he hadn’t realised that his licence had expired and also stated that he had mislaid his old licence and had not contacted the council for a replacement.

Councillor Rob Nolan, Cornwall’s cabinet member for the environment and public protection, said: “What many people may not realise is that driving a private hire vehicle without the legally required driver licence places members of the travelling public at risk.

“I am pleased with the outcome of this investigation which highlights the need for both drivers and operators to be vigilant in regard to the validity of their licences.”