A joint safety operation between Ribble Valley Borough Council and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has found the vast majority of taxis and private hire vehicles checked in the area are roadworthy, following the latest round of unannounced inspections.
Officers examined a total of 10 hackney carriages and private hire vehicles operating in the borough on 21 July 2026. Eight of the ten vehicles met the required standards. Two were issued with delayed prohibition notices and given seven days to rectify the faults identified — both vehicles were repaired the same day and had their prohibitions lifted.
Councillor Ian Brown, chairman of the council’s licensing committee, said it was vital that vehicles used to transport people met the highest standards, adding that the council and DVSA would continue to carry out regular inspections of licensed vehicles in the borough throughout the year.
The checks are part of an ongoing programme of joint enforcement activity that Ribble Valley Borough Council runs with the DVSA at various points across the year, including similar rounds carried out in the run-up to Christmas and during the summer.
For local drivers, an eight-out-of-ten pass rate with same-day fixes on the rest is a solid outcome — but it’s also a reminder that these checks are unannounced and can happen at any time, so keeping on top of tyre tread, indicators and other basic safety items year-round pays off.
Thanks for visiting DM News! If you’ve got a question, a story tip, or anything you’d like to share, head over to DriverMatty.com — I love to hear from you. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
Sources:
