Following a series of enforcement cases involving illegal tyres on licensed vehicles, Liverpool City Council is working with TyreSafe to promote tyre safety through education, guidance and driver engagement.
The tyre safety charity has launched a new suite of resources for the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector following a series of enforcement cases that have exposed a concerning road safety issue involving licensed vehicles operating with illegal or poorly maintained tyres.
Recent enforcement activity has seen licensed vehicles suspended from service after officers discovered tyres worn so severely that the internal cords were exposed—posing a significant risk to drivers, passengers and other road users.
In Liverpool, a Sefton-licensed private hire vehicle was immediately suspended after Liverpool City Council Licensing Officers discovered a tyre worn to the point where white reinforcing cords were exposed across the inside of the tyre. In a separate joint operation involving Liverpool City Council Licensing and Merseyside Tunnel Police, another Sefton-licensed vehicle was removed from service after officers found two illegal tyres, both with exposed cords.
Whilst several of the most recent cases have been identified in Liverpool, they reflect a much wider issue affecting the licensed vehicle industry nationally. Taxi and private hire vehicles typically cover significantly higher mileages than private cars, making regular tyre inspections essential to maintaining safe and legal vehicles.
In response, TyreSafe has developed a dedicated suite of resources specifically for taxi and private hire drivers, operators, licensing authorities and fleet managers. The free materials provide practical guidance on carrying out routine tyre checks, understanding legal requirements and knowing when tyres should be replaced.
Recognising the financial pressures facing many professional drivers, the resources also include guidance on the safe purchase of part-worn tyres.
Whilst part-worn tyres can provide a lower-cost alternative to new tyres, TyreSafe is reminding drivers that they should only ever purchase part-worn tyres from reputable retailers and ensure they fully comply with UK legislation. Before a part-worn tyre can legally be sold, it must have been properly inspected, pressure tested, permanently marked “PART-WORN”, have at least 2mm of tread depth and be free from dangerous defects.
Previous enforcement activity involving Trading Standards, police forces and local authorities has repeatedly uncovered illegal part-worn tyres being offered for sale, including tyres with exposed cords, structural damage, unsafe repairs and missing legal markings. TyreSafe is therefore encouraging professional drivers to ask questions about the history and compliance of any part-worn tyre before purchase and, wherever possible, choose new tyres from reputable suppliers.
With the largest Hackney Carriage fleet outside London, Liverpool provides an ideal opportunity to place practical tyre safety guidance into the hands of thousands of professional drivers, whilst demonstrating how education can complement ongoing compliance and enforcement activity.
Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said: “Professional drivers spend more time on our roads than almost anyone else. Their vehicles carry passengers throughout the day and night, often covering many thousands of miles every year, so maintaining safe, legal tyres is absolutely fundamental to protecting everyone who uses our roads.
“The recent enforcement cases are an important reminder that illegal or poorly maintained tyres remain a real and preventable risk. Whilst the overwhelming majority of taxi and private hire drivers are committed professionals who maintain their vehicles to a high standard, these incidents demonstrate why regular tyre checks can never be overlooked.
“We also recognise the financial pressures many drivers face. If you’re considering part-worn tyres, it’s essential to ensure they’ve been properly inspected, tested and comply fully with the law. Not every part-worn tyre offered for sale is legal or safe, so buying from a reputable retailer and understanding what to look for is vital.
“Education and enforcement must go hand in hand. Whilst enforcement removes unsafe vehicles from our roads, education helps prevent them getting there in the first place. By working with Liverpool City Council and providing practical guidance directly to drivers, we hope this initiative encourages licensing authorities across the UK to make tyre safety an even greater priority.”
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards in Liverpool, said: “The safety of passengers, drivers and all road users is our highest priority. The recent enforcement activity has demonstrated why routine tyre inspections are so important, particularly for vehicles that spend long hours on the road every day.
“We’re delighted to be working with TyreSafe to provide practical tyre safety guidance directly to our licensed drivers. By combining education with our ongoing compliance work, we hope to encourage simple preventative checks that help keep vehicles safe, legal and roadworthy.”
David Lawrie, Director of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association (NPHTA), said: “Professional drivers and operators want to do the right thing, but financial pressures and a lack of clear, accessible guidance can sometimes lead to shortcuts that put lives at risk. Tyres are the only contact your vehicle has with the road—compromising on them is never worth the gamble. We fully support TyreSafe’s new initiative and urge all our members, operators, and licensing authorities to make these resources a central part of their vehicle maintenance and safety checks.”
The new Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle resources cover:
- The ACT tyre safety check (Air Pressure, Condition and Tread)
- Daily tyre inspections before commencing work
- Legal tread depth requirements
- Identifying cuts, bulges, exposed cords and other signs of damage
- Correct tyre pressures
- Safe purchasing advice, including guidance on buying compliant part-worn tyres
- Knowing when to seek professional advice or replace a tyre
TyreSafe is encouraging licensing authorities, operators, fleet managers and taxi associations across the UK to download the free resources and incorporate them into licence applications, renewals, compliance inspections, driver inductions and wider road safety initiatives.
By combining education, practical advice, driver engagement and robust enforcement, TyreSafe hopes to reduce the number of licensed vehicles operating with illegal or poorly maintained tyres and ensure every journey begins with a safe, roadworthy vehicle.
The new resources are available to download free of charge from www.tyresafe.org.
