Warning issued after taxi driver pulled over by police in Manchester

Police found a taxi driver with bald tyres when on patrol in Manchester - before the driver then claimed he had checked them just last month.

Officers out with on an operation with Wolverhampton Council's Compliance Officers on Saturday night (February 24) stopped the driver of the black Ford before the tyres were checked.

Pictures shared to social media showed police inspecting the tyres before the cab was suspended due to being driven with the heavily worn, illegal tyre.

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In defence, the driver then claimed the tyre had been checked just the previous month. The council's spokesperson then issued a reminder to drivers on the importance of checking vehicles.

A City of Wolverhampton Council Licensing spokesperson said: “Compliance Officers patrolled around Greater Manchester last night with Greater Manchester Police. One vehicle suspended for an illegal tyre, also vehicle prohibited by Police.

“Driver - ‘I checked tyre last month’ ... Really!? Check your vehicle before every shift!”

The legal tyre depth for cars in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Anything under this could be illegal. The consequences of driving with illegal tyres could cost drivers three penalty points on their licence, as well as a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.