Multiple taxi and private hire driver licences suspended following joint police and council enforcem

Private hire and taxi drivers across the borough of Rochdale are being urged to check the condition of their cars after 7 vehicles had their licences suspended. Spot checks were carried out on 24 vehicles by qualified mechanics at the council's testing station. Of the 24 vehicles tested, all drivers and vehicles were found to hold the correct licences.

7 vehicles were deemed not roadworthy due to mechanical and electrical faults, including bald tyres and worn brake pads. These vehicles have been issued with prohibition notices, meaning they cannot be used as taxis or as personal cars. The owners then had to take remedial action to the satisfaction of the DVSA and the police. 4 vehicles issued with a prohibition notice have had their licences returned. The other 3 remain suspended until the council receives confirmation that the cars are safe to drive. A further 6 vehicles were issued defect notices for infringement of their licensing conditions, such as not displaying correct licensing signage. These issues were then remedied quickly to meet enforcement satisfaction. The spot checks were carried out by the council's licensing team, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers, and officers from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The checks were carried out as part of a year-round programme led by the council to ensure that private and public hire drivers and their vehicles are operating safely. Councillor Sara Rowbotham, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Rochdale Council, said: "We carry out these exercises on a regular basis to ensure the public are safe when travelling in licensed vehicles in our borough. "Our monitoring will continue to take place and appropriate action will be taken against any drivers and vehicles found not to be compliant with our conditions."  

Image: Source; Greater Manchester Police