46Vehicle, drivers' and operators' licences
(1)Except as authorised by this Part of this Act—
(a)no person being the proprietor of any vehicle, not being a hackney carriage in respect of which a vehicle licence is in force, shall use or permit the same to be used in a controlled district as a private hire vehicle without having for such a vehicle a current licence under section 48 of this Act;
(b)no person shall in a controlled district act as driver of any private hire vehicle without having a current licence under section 51 of this Act;
(c)no person being the proprietor of a private hire vehicle licensed under this Part of this Act shall employ as the driver thereof for the purpose of any hiring any person who does not have a current licence under the said section 51 ;
(d)no person shall in a controlled district operate any vehicle as a private hire vehicle without having a current licence under section 55 of this Act;
(e)no person licensed under the said section 55 shall in a controlled district operate any vehicle as a private hire vehicle—
(i)if for the vehicle a current licence under the said section 48 is not in force; or
(ii)if the driver does not have a current licence under the said section 51.
(2)If any person knowingly contravenes the provisions of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence.