Bengaluru cab drivers allege illegal use of private vehicles for commercial purposes

Illegal use of private vehicles as taxis in Bengaluru threatens licensed drivers' livelihoods and passenger safety, sparking enforcement measures.

In Bengaluru, the rise in private vehicles with white number plates being used for commercial purposes has sparked concerns among licensed taxi and cab drivers, who argue that this illegal practice threatens their livelihoods and disrupts fair competition.

Yellow-board vehicle operators say that private cars operating without the necessary commercial permits sidestep regulations, avoid fees, and don’t adhere to the same safety standards they are required to meet. This, they argue, not only creates an unfair business environment but also compromises passenger safety.

“White-board vehicles aren’t subject to the same checks that we go through. We invest in permits, pay government taxes, and keep our vehicles up to commercial standards. When private cars enter the market without these responsibilities, it’s the legitimate drivers who suffer,” said Mukund Kumar, a cab driver with over a decade of experience.

Another driver, Suresh Naik, said, “The income from driving a cab is already tight. Now, with white-board vehicles flooding the market, we’re earning even less because they don’t have to pay what we do. It’s not just illegal — it’s hurting our families.”

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Transport Department officials said they have been issuing strict warnings against the use of personal vehicles with white plates for commercial hire, an activity reserved for yellow-board vehicles. Officials have clarified that any private vehicle caught operating commercially will be seized, and both the vehicle owner and the operator will face legal consequences.

“We have received numerous complaints about these violations. We are committed to taking strict action. Investigations will be conducted, and cases filed against those involved,” a senior transport department official said.

The Transport Department has formed 10 dedicated squads to monitor and curb the illegal practice across Bengaluru. Over the past year, the department has filed multiple cases against white-board vehicles operating as taxis, and officials stress that enforcement measures will continue to intensify.