Can taxi drivers issue fines?

[asdfgh]

I had stopped in a taxi rank in London whilst I was waiting for someone, although I did not know it was one. In my defence, I have always seen cars parked there (in fact there were 2 at that moment and in the 5 years I have lived in the area I have never seen a taxi there) and as I was approaching the box was faded, the signage was a few metres further up (and it was night time), so I really had no idea. I stopped behind another car.

 

Whilst I was waiting a black taxi pulled up next to me and angrily shouted "oi, move!". I obviously had no idea why he shouted and to be honest got a little freaked out, to the point where I took out my phone in case I need to call someone. He then parked in front of the car in front of me, got out and spoke to them. Don't know what happened but a few minutes later the car drove away.

 

As they drove away the taxi driver was standing there with a little machine of some sort in his hand, typed something in and then began taking pictures of my numberplate with a camera. I drove closer to him and asked what he's doing and he began asking (shouting more like) if I can read and that I'm parked in a taxi rank. When I told him I didn't know, he kept shouting he doesn't care, swearing, took a few more photos and then drove off.

 

I was wondering what he is going to do with the photos and what that machine was. Do taxi drivers have the power to send off such things so the council can issue the fine?

 

I will pay the fine if I get one. I was in the wrong and ignorance does not excuse me from the ticket, but I still would rather avoid getting one at all!! I do plan to complain about the taxi driver once / if I get a fine. His behaviour was aggressive and threatening and completely unneccesary.

 

Thank you!

[dx100uk]

no they cant

 

just spooing you

 

forget it

 

dx

[sailor sam]

no they cant

 

just spooing you

 

forget it

 

dx

 

I'm not sure I would agree. Anyopne can report an offence being comitted to the old bill. Obviously it would be more likely they will act if there is photographic evidence. I believe that London buses have bus-mounted cameras to detect cars using bus lanes and pass footage of offenders on to the LA. BUT in answer to the title of the thread; No taxi drivers cannot issue fines. I would add that if the OP has lived in the area for 5 years, it is a tad suprising that he did not know that it was a taxi rank which suggests that there may be some signage/road marking issues here.

 

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[Bernie_the_Bolt]

I'm not sure I would agree. Anyopne can report an offence being comitted to the old bill. Obviously it would be more likely they will act if there is photographic evidence.

 

Perfectly true but irrelevant to the OP as the old bill will do nothing, parking being decriminalised in London. It the cabbie was to send it to the LA the LA would be unable to act either as cameras need to be "approved" and in any event it is unlikely that the cabbie is also a CEO.

[lamma]

nor in CEO uniform at the time.

 

it was a wind up. cabby lost it.

[sailor sam]

Perfectly true but irrelevant to the OP as the old bill will do nothing, parking being decriminalised in London. It the cabbie was to send it to the LA the LA would be unable to act either as cameras need to be "approved" and in any event it is unlikely that the cabbie is also a CEO.

 

Err, taxi ranks normally come under clearway restrictions which the old bill can actually deal with as it is an endorseable offence. Perhaps the cabbie has an 'approved' camera. I would assume that the buses are fitted with approved cameras although the bus drivers are also unlikely to be CEOs.

 

Personally I think dx100uk is probably right; the cabbie was trying to spook the OP although it may be the case that being in London, black cabs may be equipped with similar cameras to those of buses.

 

Then there is the matter of the actual taxi rank being compliant as the OP didn't think it was a taxi rank in the first place.

 

Please Note

 

 

The advice I offer will be based on the information given by the person needing it. All my advice is based on my experiences and knowledge gained in working in the motor and passenger transport industries in various capacities. Although my advice will always be sincere, it should be used as guidence only.

 

 

I would always urge to seek professional advice for clarification prior to taking any action.

 

 

Please click my reputation 'star' button at the bottom of my profile window on the left if you found my advice useful.

[asdfgh]

Thanks for all your responses.

 

The camera he used was just a normal digital camera. I had assumed that only CEOs and CCTVs had the power to take photos of parking violations and use that to issue fines. As otherwise surely that would mean any Tom, Dick or Harry can take a photo of a violation and send it to the local authority.

 

The road markings had faded so I couldn't see the word taxi. Although there is a sign that said it is a taxi rank and no stopping at any time, but it was a few metres further up. I didn't leave my car and there was a 4x4 in front of me so I couldn't see the sign from where I was. However I'm sure if I did leave my car or got out to check I would have seen it.

 

Rather than wanting to use the bay, he was just angry I was in there! Once he finished he drove off!

[green_and_mean]

Err, taxi ranks normally come under clearway restrictions which the old bill can actually deal with as it is an endorseable offence. Perhaps the cabbie has an 'approved' camera. I would assume that the buses are fitted with approved cameras although the bus drivers are also unlikely to be CEOs.

 

Personally I think dx100uk is probably right; the cabbie was trying to spook the OP although it may be the case that being in London, black cabs may be equipped with similar cameras to those of buses.

 

Then there is the matter of the actual taxi rank being compliant as the OP didn't think it was a taxi rank in the first place.

 

Please Note

 

 

The advice I offer will be based on the information given by the person needing it. All my advice is based on my experiences and knowledge gained in working in the motor and passenger transport industries in various capacities. Although my advice will always be sincere, it should be used as guidence only.

 

 

I would always urge to seek professional advice for clarification prior to taking any action.

 

 

 

Please click my reputation 'star' button at the bottom of my profile window on the left if you found my advice useful.

 

A Taxi rank is not a parking restriction its a section of road set aside for cabs to ply for trade, black cabs cannot be hailed unless moving or on a taxi rank you cannot park a taxi and tout in the street, a taxi rank can be restricted as a waiting or stopping restriction if the correct bay is used but cannot be enforced by the Police unless its for obstruction and that is not endorseable. No cameras that take still photos are currently approved for parking enforcement.

[sailor sam]

A Taxi rank is not a parking restriction its a section of road set aside for cabs to ply for trade, black cabs cannot be hailed unless moving or on a taxi rank you cannot park a taxi and tout in the street, a taxi rank can be restricted as a waiting or stopping restriction if the correct bay is used but cannot be enforced by the Police unless its for obstruction and that is not endorseable. No cameras that take still photos are currently approved for parking enforcement.

 

If the rank is designated as a clearway (as some are) then it has the same restrictions as 'no stopping' The OP has confirmed that the sign states this although I'm only assuming it is supported by a clearway symbol (which I use the term 'IF'). If still photos are not appoved for parking enforcement, why do CEOs use them to support PCNs?

 

Please Note

 

 

The advice I offer will be based on the information given by the person needing it. All my advice is based on my experiences and knowledge gained in working in the motor and passenger transport industries in various capacities. Although my advice will always be sincere, it should be used as guidence only.

 

 

I would always urge to seek professional advice for clarification prior to taking any action.

 

 

Please click my reputation 'star' button at the bottom of my profile window on the left if you found my advice useful.

[Bernie_the_Bolt]

Support (for evidence) is different to being used as the basis for issuing the PCN in the first place.

[green_and_mean]

Support (for evidence) is different to being used as the basis for issuing the PCN in the first place.

 

Exactly a reg 9 PCN is issued on the evidence supplied by the CEO which is why they are identified on the PCN on a CCTV parking PCN it is the evidence of an approved device which is why many do not even bother stating the CEO on it and a CEO doesn't even need to be there a camera can be automated.

[sailor sam]

Support (for evidence) is different to being used as the basis for issuing the PCN in the first place.

 

Thats not what G & M stated. 'No cameras that take still photos are currently approved for parking enforcement' was his wording and part of the process of 'enforcement' involves the CEO taking a still picture. However, I understand that he may of meant that still cameras alone cannot be used to issue PCNs.

 

Please Note

 

 

The advice I offer will be based on the information given by the person needing it. All my advice is based on my experiences and knowledge gained in working in the motor and passenger transport industries in various capacities. Although my advice will always be sincere, it should be used as guidence only.

 

 

I would always urge to seek professional advice for clarification prior to taking any action.

 

 

Please click my reputation 'star' button at the bottom of my profile window on the left if you found my advice useful.

[sailor sam]

Thanks for all your responses.

 

The camera he used was just a normal digital camera. I had assumed that only CEOs and CCTVs had the power to take photos of parking violations and use that to issue fines. As otherwise surely that would mean any Tom, Dick or Harry can take a photo of a violation and send it to the local authority.

 

The road markings had faded so I couldn't see the word taxi. Although there is a sign that said it is a taxi rank and no stopping at any time, but it was a few metres further up. I didn't leave my car and there was a 4x4 in front of me so I couldn't see the sign from where I was. However I'm sure if I did leave my car or got out to check I would have seen it.

 

Rather than wanting to use the bay, he was just angry I was in there! Once he finished he drove off!

 

With respect, if every 'Tom, Dick and Harry' parked legally and obeyed the traffic laws then perhaps we wouldn't need CCTV enforcement cameras in the first place!

 

Please Note

 

 

The advice I offer will be based on the information given by the person needing it. All my advice is based on my experiences and knowledge gained in working in the motor and passenger transport industries in various capacities. Although my advice will always be sincere, it should be used as guidence only.

 

 

I would always urge to seek professional advice for clarification prior to taking any action.

 

 

Please click my reputation 'star' button at the bottom of my profile window on the left if you found my advice useful.

[lamma]

so waht ? thast not the point being made at all.

 

and of course it would still need council to sign and line lawfully, set up proper TROs, not make mistakes on their paperwork or procedure . . . but none of this has anything to do with taxi driver taking a picture. It mays as well have been his holidays snaps for all that it can be used for and all that can come of it.

.

[green_and_mean]

Thats not what G & M stated. 'No cameras that take still photos are currently approved for parking enforcement' was his wording and part of the process of 'enforcement' involves the CEO taking a still picture. However, I understand that he may of meant that still cameras alone cannot be used to issue PCNs.

 

Please Note

 

 

The advice I offer will be based on the information given by the person needing it. All my advice is based on my experiences and knowledge gained in working in the motor and passenger transport industries in various capacities. Although my advice will always be sincere, it should be used as guidence only.

 

 

I would always urge to seek professional advice for clarification prior to taking any action.

 

 

Please click my reputation 'star' button at the bottom of my profile window on the left if you found my advice useful.

 

I meant what I said none of the cameras used by the CEOs are approved and don't need to be they can pop down Jessops and buy any old camera to use.

[Raykay]

part of the process of 'enforcement' involves the CEO taking a still picture. However, I understand that he may of meant that still cameras alone cannot be used to issue PCNs.

 

You are right that still pictures are not authorised for enforcement, but as Bernie-the-Bolt said, the photograph is supporting the evidence of the contravention. The process is that the CEO observes the contravention - that is the evidence - and issues a PCN. A photograph can be used to support what the CEO saw, but it is not obligatory or part of the enforcement process.