More than 100 taxis stopped as Cardiff enforcement team issues suspensions, penalties and launches taxi and PHV licensing probes
- Perry Richardson
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
A multi-agency enforcement operation targeting taxis and minibuses in Cardiff resulted in three vehicle seizures, four taxi suspensions and several licensing investigations after more than 100 vehicles were stopped and inspected.
The operation, led by the Cardiff and Vale Special Constabulary, took place between 4pm on 18 July and 2am on 19 July. Officers worked alongside Cardiff Council, Newport Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Community Safety teams to check that public service vehicles were safe, roadworthy and operating legally.
A total of 103 taxis and minibuses were stopped during the eight-hour operation. Enforcement officers carried out vehicle inspections while also checking that drivers held the correct licences and insurance and that vehicles complied with safety requirements.
South Wales Police submitted four Traffic Offence Reports during the operation. The offences included driving without insurance, defective tyres and failing to wear a seatbelt.
Four taxis were immediately suspended by their respective licensing authorities after inspectors identified defects including faulty lighting and tyre problems. The vehicles cannot return to service until the faults have been repaired and the vehicles have successfully passed a further inspection.
Licensing officers also issued 25 formal warning notices covering a range of compliance issues. These included missing or incorrectly displayed taxi licence badges, lighting defects, expired or missing first aid kits, expired fire extinguishers and vehicle bodywork damage. The affected vehicles will also be required to undergo reinspection.
DVSA examiners issued 11 fixed penalty notices for mechanical defects including lighting faults, defective brakes and a diesel leak. One untaxed vehicle was also identified during the checks, with the outstanding vehicle tax paid at the roadside.
Alongside the vehicle compliance work, authorities opened four separate licensing enforcement investigations. The allegations include drivers carrying passengers without operating a taximeter and individuals providing unlicensed taxi services. No further details of those investigations have been released.
Three vehicles were seized during the operation, including two that were found to be operating without valid insurance.
Special Inspector Benjamin Johns said: “Those using taxis and minibuses to travel into and out of the Cardiff area deserve to do so with reassurance that the vehicles they’re in are safe, legal, and roadworthy.
“This partnership working highlights how seriously we take the public’s safety. With the combination of resources during this operation, we were able to collaboratively ensure drivers and their vehicles transporting the public are safe.”
