City of Wolverhampton Council employs 113 staff to manage taxi and private hire licensing tasks

City of Wolverhampton Council has revealed that it employs a mammoth team of 113 staff dedicated to managing the administration and enforcement of its taxi and private hire drivers.

This disclosure comes on the heels of a Freedom of Information request put to the council from an unknown source, that sought to uncover the resources allocated to overseeing one of the industry’s biggest licensing operations.

Between April 2023 and March 2024, the council licensed a significant number of drivers from outside its borders. Of the 21,188 drivers licensed by Wolverhampton, a striking 96.16% live outside the area. Only 813 drivers reside within the city, highlighting a trend that has long sparked debate within the industry.

A spokesperson for the council clarified that they are bound by law to accept applications from individuals outside the city. They emphasised that the council has not sought to attract out-of-area drivers nor benefited financially, as licensing fees are restricted to cover related expenses only.

A spokesperson for City of Wolverhampton Council stated in the same FOI response: “There is no lawful basis to refuse an application from someone who lives somewhere else in the country. No policy was devised to encourage this, and the council does not gain financially, as the fees for taxi licensing are legally ringfenced for spend only on related activities. City of Wolverhampton Council has never advertised for applicants.”

The phenomenon stems from cross-border hiring regulations, which permit drivers to operate in areas where they are not licensed. This practice has raised concerns over varying regulatory standards, as different local authorities have distinct requirements for driver qualifications, safety checks, and vehicle standards. Some critics argue this inconsistency compromises passenger safety and undermines local governance.

The council spokesperson acknowledged the broader issue, citing a local and nationwide shortage of licensed drivers. The council spokesperson adds: “Unfortunately, there is actually a shortage of licensed drivers both in Wolverhampton and across the country, with the latest DfT stats showing that the trade is down 25% on pre-pandemic figures. This has major public safety issues, from women’s safety in the night time economy, to special educational needs children unable to travel to school.”