Liverpool licensing officers find unlicensed private hire vehicle driver with illegal tyre and no insurance
Liverpool City Council’s Licensing Enforcement Officers uncovered a private hire driver operating illegally with a dangerously defective vehicle and other issues.
The vehicle, a Liverpool-licensed private hire car, was found to have a tyre with exposed cords—posing significant risks to public safety.
Tyre cords are the internal structural layers of a tyre that provide its strength and integrity. When exposed, they indicate the tyre has worn well beyond safe limits, leaving it vulnerable to blowouts or sudden failure. Such a condition is considered illegal and highly dangerous on UK roads.
UK law stipulates that vehicle tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre’s width and around its entire circumference. Driving with tyres below this limit or with exposed cords is illegal, endangering both passengers and other road users.
In addition to the defective tyre, the driver was also found to be unlicensed and operating without insurance. These breaches carry severe consequences and highlight the critical importance of compliance within the industry. A prosecution file has been submitted, and further action is expected.
A Liverpool City Council Licensing spokesperson said: “Liverpool Licensing Enforcement Officers discovered a Liverpool Private Hire vehicle being operated with a tyre with exposed cords.
“As if this wasn't unacceptable enough, the driver was discovered to be unlicensed! A prosecution file has been submitted, including no insurance!”
