Court hearing for driving without insurance

golfergti

Hi,
I have motor trade insurance and can drive any car relating to my work.
In March I received a court summons for driving a taxi, the council was claiming £150 costs, if i went to court then I would have pay court costs also, or not go court and plead guilty.
I pleaded guilty but I have still received a court hearing letter today telling me I have to go court as the council want to review and check insurance.
Thanks

Incyder

why did you plead guilty if you were not guilty as you were insured by your trade policy ?

golfergti

The car was a private hire vehice, but I thought as its no longer on service and theres no radio and I have no intention of picking up any passengers its classed as a normal car.

Incyder

have you got a current taxi licence from the council ?

what is your normal work that u have the insurance trade policy for ?

Proc

Why were you driving this car and what is your work?

golfergti

I am not a taxi driver, I am a part time student and was going to start buying and selling cars part time which is why I had motor trade insurance.
The reason I took the the car was my car ran out of fuel and i used this car to fill up a petrol can. I only drove half mile up the road and came straight back home, they pulled me up near my house.

golfergti

I was previously advised that as my cousin had not tried to remove the car off the taxi database, and even though I was picking up any passengers I had no chance of winning so I should just plead guilty and accept the fine rather than go to court and incur further costs.
The cops rang up the local taxi firm where my cousin used to work and they confirmed he had stopped working for them.
My cousin wasnt in when i took the car he was actually taking his taxi test for another town in his new car, but his wife said I could take the car and she gave me the key.

Incyder

It looks like they think you have been doing some illegal mini cabbing then, without a council licence and the right insurance ?

I'd go to court if I was you, get a solicitor, take your insurance and show the judge and explain.

Proc

golfergti wrote: »

The reason I took the the car was my car ran out of fuel and i used this car to fill up a petrol can.

but his wife said I could take the car and she gave me the key.

I have motor trade insurance and can drive any car relating to my work

This could be the problem? You clearly weren't insured under your motor trade policy.

lisyloo

So you have a policy that relates to any car relating to your work, but you borrowed a private car for a private journey?
Is that right?

golfergti

yes, But what I dont understand is why when they sent the original summons did they give me the option to plead guilty so i didnt need to go court and they are now asking me to go court?