A private hire driver who was fined after driving carelessly in a “souped-up BMW” has been granted a taxi licence.

Glasgow’s licensing committee warned Sohail Nasir but agreed to allow him to drive taxis in the city — despite an objection from Police Scotland.

An officer said the force believed the applicant is “not a fit and proper person” to hold a licence following his conviction for an incident in 2023.

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A representative for Mr Nasir told councillors that the charge, initially dangerous driving, had been amended by the court to careless driving.

She said Mr Nasir had driven at “excessive speeds” and was punished with three penalty points and a £270 fine. He had negotiated two corners quickly, she added.

The committee was told the applicant was driving his brother’s “souped-up BMW” at the time, which he believes “drew attention to the police”.

His representative said an unmarked police car approached his vehicle. “He foolishly drove too fast round the corner when the unmarked police car was following him and he was stopped by a marked police car,” she added.

“He fully accepts that he should not have driven in that fashion and that’s why he pled guilty to the offence.”

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She said the driver was “so apologetic” and three penalty points was “at the lower end of the scale, but that is in no way meant to mitigate it”.

“Careless driving for a private hire driver of eight years experience is not good enough, but I’m hoping I can convince the committee that it won’t be a barrier to granting the taxi licence that he’s applied for today.”

(Image: Alex Wilson)

Cllr Alex Wilson, SNP, who chairs the licensing committee, said the driver “should know how to conduct himself and how to drive” regardless of the car.

“It’s his livelihood so he should take exceptional care of his own livelihood,” he added. “It’s foolish, there’s no doubt about that.”