Private hire vehicle driver fined over £1,000 and disqualified from driving for two illegal tyres
A private hire driver operating in the Avon and Somerset area has been fined over £1,000 and disqualified from driving for six months following a serious tyre offence.
PC Patrick Quinton, known locally as the ‘Taxi Cop’, reported the driver in December 2023 after finding two tyres on the private hire vehicle below the legal tread limit of 1.6mm. The driver already had nine penalty points on their licence at the time, prompting an automatic referral to the court system.
The case was heard in October at Bath Magistrates’ Court, where the driver was ordered to pay £1,138 in fines and costs. They were also handed a six-month driving disqualification.
The matter has now been referred to the local council, which will decide whether to take further regulatory action regarding the driver’s private hire licence.
This incident highlights the importance of vehicle safety checks and compliance with legal requirements for private hire operators.
