Private Hire Driver’s Appeal to Court to Overturn Council Decision to Revoke His Licence Unsuccessful

READING MAGISTRATES have upheld Reading Council’s decision to revoke the licence of a Private Hire driver, after he was caught offering illegal rides at Henley Regatta in 2024.

Mr Shabuddin Parvas, of Cressingham Road, Reading, appeared before the court on 7 October 2025 to appeal the Council’s decision, originally made in October 2024.

The decision was taken after Mr Parvas was caught illegally plying for hire at Henley Regatta in July, during a multi-agency covert operation, including Reading Council licensing enforcement officers.

He had offered to illegally transport six passengers from Henley to Reading for £60, without the required prior booking.

It is illegal for Private Hire drivers to pick up passengers from the street or a taxi rank. Private Hire fares must be pre-booked; otherwise, passengers are not covered by insurance in the case of an accident.

At the appeal, Reading Magistrates ruled the Council had reached the correct decision to revoke Mr Parvas’ licence, and no new information or grounds justified overturning the Council’s original decision. As a result, the appeal was dismissed, and Mr Parvas was ordered to pay £700 towards the costs incurred by Reading Borough Council. 

Cllr Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“This is an important result, and a strong message that illegal activity won’t be ignored.

“We take public safety seriously and won’t hesitate to act when drivers break the rules.

“Reading Licensing will continue to pursue illegal drivers to ensure that event visitors are kept safe, standards of our licensed trade are kept high, and customers can have confidence they are having a safe, legal journey by a properly licensed and vetted driver.” 

Anyone with concerns about taxi or Private Hire drivers can report them confidentially to licensing@reading.gov.uk or by calling the Council Contact Centre on 0118 937 3787. 

ENDS