Cross border Wolverhampton private hire driver convicted after being caught with two illegal tyres
- Perry Richardson
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A Wolverhampton-licensed private hire driver has been convicted after operating a licensed vehicle with two illegal tyres, following an inspection carried out by Liverpool City Council licensing officers.
Liverpool City Council’s Licensing team confirmed the conviction on 31 July, stating that the driver had been found using the vehicle with two illegal tyres during an inspection last year.
According to the authority, the driver was ordered to pay a total of £764 in fines and court costs. The court also imposed three penalty points on the driver’s DVLA driving licence.
The case highlights the continued use of joint enforcement operations by licensing authorities to inspect taxis and private hire vehicles operating within their areas, regardless of where they are licensed. Wolverhampton remains one of the country’s largest licensing authorities for private hire drivers and vehicles, with many licence holders working predominantly outside the city.
Tyre condition is one of the most closely scrutinised elements during roadside inspections because defects can have a direct impact on braking performance, steering and vehicle stability. A tyre can become illegal if its tread depth falls below the legal minimum of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, or if it has damage such as exposed cords, cuts or bulges that make it unsafe for use.
Licensing authorities and police forces regularly conduct compliance checks on taxis and private hire vehicles to ensure they meet both road traffic legislation and local licensing conditions. Defects identified during inspections can result in fixed penalties, prosecutions, licence reviews or suspension of a driver’s ability to work, depending on the seriousness of the offence.
Liverpool City Council Licensing said: “A Wolverhampton PHV driver found operating with two illegal tyres during an inspection last year has recently been convicted in court. The driver received £764 in fines and costs, plus 3 penalty points on their DVLA driving licence. #RoadSafety”
