Taxi Cop explains why taxi driver enforcement checks MUST continue even with passengers onboard
- Perry Richardson
- 16 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Police in the West have explained just why street taxi and private hire checks must take place whether a vehicle is carrying passengers or not.
This week PC Patrick Quinton, Taxi Cop for Avon and Somerset Police, took part in a joint operation with licensing officers from Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and the DVSA.
Around seventy vehicles passed through the roadside checkpoint. Two were suspended on the spot due to tyre defects that led to three DVLA points and one hundred pound penalties for each driver. Four vehicles were issued notices to fix minor faults. Officers also dealt with routine badge and plate matters.
PC Quinton said some drivers questioned to being stopped while mid-journey with passengers. He made it clear that this is exactly when checks are most important. He explained that officers must be able to identify offences that can only be confirmed during a live hire such as illegally plying for hire and not using the meter.
Safety and compliance requires real time checks. Officers will carry out joint operations and stop any licensed vehicle when required in order to protect passengers and keep standards consistent.
PC Patrick Quinton said: “Today I worked with Licensing Officers from Bristol and South Glos, and also DVSA. We checked about 70 vehicles. Two were immediately suspended due to tyre issues (with 3 DVLA points and £100 penalties each), 4 were given notices to correct minor vehicle issues, and there were the usual badge/plate issues.
“As always, thanks for your patience whilst we do these checks. A couple of drivers thought we shouldn't check vehicles when there are passengers on board. I pointed out that it was even more necessary to do our checks when there are passengers on board so we can detect offences such as illegally plying for hire and failing to use the meter.
“Public safety doesn't stop being important because there are passengers on board!”
