An Uber driver has been fined after plying for hire at a taxi rank in Aldershot without the correct licence.

The private hire driver received a fine and must pay £5,000 in costs after using the rank in Alexandra Road, Aldershot, on Monday, May 27, last year, without the appropriate licence.

Saifullah Achakzai, 24, of Hill Lane, Southampton, was working for Uber as a private hire driver licensed by Southampton City Council.

After being seen at the rank, he was prosecuted by Rushmoor Borough Council at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 10.

He was found guilty, fined £300, ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge and to pay £5,000 in costs.

Cllr Christine Guinness, Rushmoor Borough Council’s cabinet member for pride in place and neighbourhood services, said: “Drivers and vehicles licensed with other councils can only pick up outside of the area where they are licensed if they have a prior booking through a licensed operator.

“If people want to get a taxi from a rank or hail one in the street, it must be a hackney carriage (in Rushmoor these will be wheelchair accessible vehicles, with a roof light and a white/teal taxi plate on the back) licensed in the area where they are.

“This is important because private hire drivers taking passengers without a prior booking may not be insured.”