Residents in a Moray town are being warned that rogue taxi drivers may be operating in their area.
Moray Council have appealed to the public for cooperation by checking of credentials of drivers operating in the Buckie area, and refusing to travel in their vehicles if they suspect the driver is bogus.
The local authority are also warning such drivers that they risk fines of up to £2500 if convicted of operating with a licence issued by Moray Council.
Chair of the licensing committee, Councillor Ron Shepherd, has said the there had been complaints from bona-fide taxi operators about unlicensed drivers operating in the area who were effectively “stealing their trade”.
He said: “The safety of the public is our number one priority. Taxis are licensed by the council to ensure that the vehicles are safe for carrying members of the public and that the drivers are fit and proper and are unlikely to pose a danger to passengers or other road users.”
Properly licensed taxi operators can be easily identified through the plate attached to the rear of their vehicle, bearing the Moray Council logo as well as a licence number, vehicle registration and the make plus model of the taxi.
Councillor Shepherd added that if the vehicle does not have such a plate then it is simply not licensed, adding: “These unlicensed drivers are taking business away from people who have followed the rules and have got themselves and their vehicles licensed and are operating legitimately and providing a service to the public.”