Liverpool licensing and police officers issue defect and suspension notices in late-night cross-border private hire compliance crackdown
- Perry Richardson
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Licensing officers from Liverpool City Council carried out a joint late-night enforcement operation with Merseyside Police, resulting in several licensed vehicles being issued with defect and suspension notices.
According to a Liverpool City Council’s licensing team spokesperson, officers conducted compliance checks on licensed vehicles operating in the city. During the operation, vehicles from various licensing authorities were stopped and inspected, with enforcement action taken where standards were not met.
Among those issued with notices was a private hire vehicle licensed by City of Wolverhampton Council. An image shared by the licensing team showed a tyre with significant wear. The stop took place on 14 February 2026 near Church Street in Liverpool city centre.
The council said that several vehicles were served with defect and suspension notices. While the exact number of vehicles involved has not been disclosed, such notices typically require faults to be remedied before a vehicle can return to licensed service. In cases where a suspension is imposed, the vehicle cannot lawfully carry passengers until the licensing authority is satisfied that it meets required safety standards.
Joint operation in city centre results in action against vehicles from multiple authorities, including Wolverhampton-licensed private hire vehicle (PHV)
Joint operations between local authorities and police forces are a common feature of taxi and private hire enforcement activity, particularly in busy night-time economy areas. Liverpool city centre, including areas around Liverpool Central station, is a known hotspot for high passenger demand during weekend evenings.
The inclusion of vehicles licensed outside the local authority area reflects the continued presence of cross-border working within the private hire sector. Under current legislation, drivers and vehicles licensed by one authority may undertake pre-booked work in another area, provided bookings are made through a properly licensed operator. However, vehicles must still comply with roadworthiness and licensing conditions at all times.
Liverpool City Council has not indicated whether further joint operations are planned, but regular compliance exercises form part of its wider regulatory approach to maintaining safety standards in the licensed trade. Merseyside Police routinely support such initiatives, particularly where vehicle safety or public protection concerns are identified.
