Wolverhampton licensing officers flag split in private hire vehicle tyre during out-of-area Liverpool checks
- Perry Richardson
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
City of Wolverhampton Council licensing officers have issued a renewed safety warning to licensed drivers after identifying a vehicle with a split tyre wall during a joint enforcement patrol in Liverpool city centre.
The discovery was made on Friday night during an operation involving City of Wolverhampton Council’s public protection compliance team working alongside traffic officers from Merseyside Police. The vehicle was found to be operating with visible tyre damage that posed an immediate road safety risk.
Images shared by the council’s public protection unit show the vehicle stopped at the roadside with the damaged tyre removed, police vehicles in attendance and officers engaging with the driver. The incident occurred in Liverpool city centre during evening patrols.
In a public statement issued following the stop, the council stressed that tyre defects can develop without warning and urged all licensed drivers to carry out checks before every shift. A split tyre wall significantly increases the risk of blowouts, particularly under load or at higher speeds, with potential consequences for passengers, other road users and the driver.
Defective tyre discovered during late-night compliance operation prompts renewed safety warning to licensed drivers
Vehicle condition remains a core compliance requirement under taxi and private hire licensing rules. Local authorities have the power to suspend or revoke licences where vehicles are deemed unsafe, regardless of whether defects are discovered during routine inspections or roadside enforcement.
The incident highlights the growing use of cross-border compliance activity, with licensing teams increasingly operating outside their home authority areas to monitor vehicles licensed by them but working elsewhere. Wolverhampton is one of the UK’s largest licensing authorities by volume, with many of its licensed vehicles operating nationally.
Enforcement bodies continue to emphasise that responsibility for vehicle roadworthiness sits squarely with drivers. Tyres, brakes and lights remain among the most common defects identified during roadside stops, particularly during late-night operations.
Routine visual checks, including tyre walls and tread condition, are recommended before each shift.
A City of Wolverhampton Council Public Protection spokesperson said: “On Friday night, while on patrol with Merseyside Police Traffic in Liverpool City Centre, Compliance found this vehicle with a split in the tyre wall. Remember, check your tyres before starting every shift as tyre damage can occur at anytime.”
