Big Taxi Crackdown in Bucks: Faulty Cars and Licence Suspensions Hit the Streets
A major swoop on private hire and hackney carriage vehicles slammed down in Bucks on Monday 15th May. Wycombe, Chiltern, and South Bucks councils teamed up to stop 60 vehicles and check if they met road safety and licensing rules.
Unsafe Vehicles Nabbed by VOSA
Out of 60 vehicles inspected, three were slapped with immediate bans due to dangerous faults like broken indicators, dodgy shock absorbers, and a loose battery. Another four faced delayed prohibitions over cracked windscreens, bald tyres, and worn seatbelts. Their drivers had licences suspended by the council.
Off-the-Books Drivers Face the Music
Thames Valley Police handed out two defect notices and a fixed penalty to a driver caught without a seatbelt. Meanwhile, councils dealt with 18 drivers over licensing offences such as no ID badges, incorrect vehicle signage, damaged cars, and missing fire extinguishers.
Warnings and Tough Words from the Police
PC Liz Johnson, the Road Safety Officer for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, said: “This was a successful joint operation which removed a number of unsafe vehicles from the road. She urged drivers: “Check your tyres weekly and make sure your badge is clearly visible to passengers.”
Know Your Taxi Rules
- Private hire vehicles must show exterior signs: a rear licensing plate outside the vehicle, a front plate in the windscreen, and side door stickers stating ‘advanced bookings only’.
- Both private hire and hackney carriage drivers must wear visible ID badges for passengers to see.
- Smoking is banned inside all licensed taxis, with ‘no smoking’ signs clearly displayed.
