A taxi driver from Luton, Bedfordshire, has been ordered to pay more than £2,300 after a council sting operation found he was overcharging passengers and failing to use his meter. Nazik Sabir, of Chandos Road, was caught during a test purchase carried out by licensing officers on September 27, 2025.
At a hearing on February 2, 2026, Luton Magistrates’ Court found Sabir guilty in his absence. The court handed him a £220 fine and ordered him to pay £2,141.55 in prosecution costs to Central Bedfordshire Council.
The undercover operation was part of a programme where council staff pose as ordinary passengers to check if drivers are using their meters correctly. Councillor Tracey Wye, the council member for licensing, said that overcharging passengers abuses their trust.
The council has also introduced a new policy to make sure taxis are safe and follow the law. As of January 29, 2026, all local taxis must now go to approved council depots for their safety checks every six months.
These changes are intended to help the Central Bedfordshire Council Taxi Licensing Team keep standards high. By policing fares and vehicle safety, the council aims to protect people who use taxis and ensure all drivers follow the same rules.
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