Harlow Council taxi and private hire enforcement sees 18 vehicles suspended in 12 months
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 14
Harlow Council has released its annual report on taxi and private hire licensing, highlighting application numbers, compliance checks, and enforcement activity carried out between April 2024 and March 2025.
The licensing team processed a total of 404 applications under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and Town Police Clauses Act 1847. These included 121 new or renewed driver applications, 276 vehicle licences, and 7 private hire operator applications. Applications were accepted by email or in-person appointments, with all timely submissions processed within expected timescales.
A key focus of the report was compliance enforcement. Over the course of the year, 144 vehicles were inspected either at the roadside, council test stations, or as part of enforcement operations. Of these, 94 vehicles were found to be fully compliant. Eighteen vehicles were suspended after failing to meet MOT standards, not including emissions checks.
Two specific inspection sessions were carried out at the council’s testing station with a qualified MOT inspector. These sessions checked 33 vehicles, made up of 5 Hackney Carriages and 28 Private Hire Vehicles. This breakdown reflects the proportion of vehicles licensed by the authority.
In addition to council-led checks, four joint enforcement operations were held with other licensing bodies. These included a session with Uttlesford District Council, one with Transport for London, and two multi-authority operations at Stansted Airport. These joint efforts are designed to help identify non-compliant vehicles from other areas operating within or through Harlow.
The report also detailed the number of complaints and resulting actions. A total of 49 complaints were recorded, covering issues such as driver conduct, driving standards, vehicle condition, and fare disputes. Most of the enforcement response involved issuing advice or warnings. Forty drivers were issued verbal or written guidance, while three received formal warnings. Two cases resulted in immediate action due to public safety concerns: one suspension on medical grounds and one revocation.
The council confirmed that joint operations and enforcement checks form part of its continued efforts to maintain safety and compliance across the licensed taxi and private hire sector.
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