Taxi Licensing Officers from Milton Keynes and South Northants Councils recently joined forces with Thames Valley Police to carry out checks on taxi drivers on an evening of positive enforcement action.

On 5 April 2019 licensed vehicles were stopped and checked on the roads of Milton Keynes during a safety operation which targeted Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles with suspected defects and licensing breaches.  The aim of the operation was to proactively tackle vehicle defects found among taxis in the city.

As a result, 21 vehicles licensed by Milton Keynes, South Northants and Aylesbury Vale Councils were stopped and checked at the roadside – of which 13 were identified as having defects that required further examination by the Council’s testing station.

All 13 vehicles were thoroughly inspected by examiners with a variety of faults, including tyre damage, defective lights, oil leaks, rust, no roof/door signage, faulty brakes and bodywork damage.

Four of the 13 vehicles were licensed by Milton Keynes and nine by Aylesbury Vale Council.  One further vehicle licensed by SNC was suspended for vehicle defects at the road side and the plate was surrendered by the driver.

Steve Hayes, Head of Transport at MK Council said:  “It is vital that people have absolute confidence in the safety of licensed vehicles and this operation was designed to highlight those who do not maintain their vehicles.  

“We will continue to work with Thames Valley Police and our neighbouring Local Authorities to ensure the safety of the public when using these services.”