Guru Fatay Ronuk Singh, 44, was caught following Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat against Brighton on January 19, 2025.
Singh, of Lostock Road, Urmston, was seen parked in a bus stop on Chester Road, with his ‘for hire’ sign illuminated.
Undercover licensing enforcement officers asked Singh, who was licensed by Manchester City Council, to go to the city centre.
After the journey got underway, the officers identified themselves and asked him to pull over.
Later, during an interview, Singh acknowledged that he used his ‘for hire’ sign to attract customers but suggested that he forgot to turn it off and admitted he made “a very big boo boo”.
At Manchester Magistrates' Court, Singh was guilty of plying for hire without insurance, resulting in a fine of £180, a £48 victim surcharge and £180 costs, as well as six points on his driving licence.
Cllr Rose Thompson, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Safety, said: “This is an example of a wider problem on matchdays with drivers from other areas illegally looking for fares and this court prosecution shows our officers are watching and will take action.
“Only Hackney Carriages licensed by Trafford Council are permitted to pick up fares without a booking and by doing so Mr Singh committed the offence of illegally plying for hire and in doing so invalidated his insurance.
“Trafford’s Hackney Carriage drivers work hard to provide transport for those who need it in the borough. This type of behaviour puts public safety at risk and is illegal.
“Our licensing enforcement team members work to support drivers who follow the rules properly and to make sure passengers ride safely with insurance in place.”