Taxi Driver Online

Cheltenham Licensing Sub-Committee revokes private hire driver’s licence due to safety concerns

https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/news/arti ... y_concerns

A private hire driver licensed by Cheltenham Borough Council has had their licence revoked following a unanimous decision by the Miscellaneous Licensing Sub-Committee on 2 April 2025.

The driver was referred to the sub-committee following a vehicle compliance check in the early hours of the morning of Saturday 15 March during Race Week – one of Cheltenham’s busiest periods. This decision came after a vehicle compliance check revealed serious safety issues with the driver’s vehicle.

During the check, which was carried out by a Licensing Officer at Cheltenham Borough Council and a Taxi Compliance Officer at Avon and Somerset Police, both front tyres of the driver’s vehicle were found to be below the legal limit of 1.6mm, with one as low as 0.6mm.

Due to the serious public safety concerns posed by the bald tyres, the driver was referred to the committee for a review of their licence.

At the committee, Members raised concerns about the impact of low tread depth on stopping distances; a history of problems with the tyres noted during MOT tests; and that the driver had not been carrying out regular checks of his vehicle to a level expected of licence holders.

Allowing the tyres to deteriorate to such a level at any time, but especially during the Cheltenham Festival, the busiest week of the year for the taxi and private hire trade where public safety is paramount, was not acceptable, and it was the unanimous decision of the committee to revoke the licence as a result.

Michelle Bignell, manager of licensing and public protection at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “The decision by the licensing sub-committee demonstrates the council’s commitment to public safety and that members will not tolerate a lack of regard to high standards that licence holders should demonstrate in terms of vehicle safety.

“All licence holders should conduct daily checks to ensure that their vehicles are safe to carry members of the public.”

Further information on taxi licences and permits can be found on the council’s website.

Literally a 'safety is paramount' statement there

And interesting that safety seems even more paramount during the Festival

Are illegal tyres less of a safety issue at other times, or are councillors just grandstanding (see what I did there? Grandstanding? Festival? )?

maybe the councillor is in the race for higher political honours and is trying to be first past the post in the popularity stakes.

As always this is down to regularly checking your tyres. I used to have a driver that didn't even though we had agreement with a tyre place and he could just take the vehicle in and a couple of times other drivers noticed the tyres were in a bad way and I had to insist he go and get them changed.

Tyres are important

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector