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City of Wolverhampton Council warns PHV drivers that a £10 illegal fare could cost them their licence following Nottingham enforcement operation
Licensing officers from three councils joined forces in Nottingham city centre to target illegal plying for hire, with drivers warned that accepting unbooked fares could lead to prosecution and licence revocation.
City of Wolverhampton Council has issued a warning to private hire drivers following a joint licensing enforcement operation in Nottingham city centre on Thursday 12 November.
The operation involved officers from Wolverhampton, Nottingham City Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council, working together to tackle illegal plying for hire and reinforce the legal requirements placed on licensed private hire drivers.
Wolverhampton Council’s Public Protection team shared details of the operation on social media, warning drivers that accepting relatively small unbooked fares could have serious consequences for their livelihoods.
The council said: “Unbooked £10 fares = prosecution and licence revocation.
“Be legal, not out of work!”
An accompanying photograph showed enforcement personnel conducting roadside checks on a vehicle in Nottingham city centre during the evening operation.
The warning comes amid continued scrutiny of cross-border private hire working, where drivers licensed by one local authority can undertake pre-booked journeys in another council area, provided the relevant legal requirements are met.
Under existing legislation, private hire vehicles must be booked in advance through a licensed private hire operator. Unlike hackney carriages, private hire drivers cannot legally accept passengers who approach them directly on the street without a valid booking.
Drivers found illegally plying for hire can face criminal prosecution and licensing action. Depending on the circumstances, accepting an unbooked fare may also raise questions about whether the vehicle is appropriately insured for the journey.
The involvement of Wolverhampton licensing officers in Nottingham is particularly relevant given the council’s role in licensing private hire drivers and vehicles operating across different parts of England.
Joint enforcement operations allow licensing authorities to share information and investigate suspected offences involving drivers who hold licences issued outside the area where they are working.
The council’s public statement did not confirm how many vehicles were inspected, whether any drivers were reported for suspected offences or whether prosecution proceedings would follow.
The warning nevertheless signals that local authorities are continuing to work together to address illegal plying for hire, including activity involving drivers licensed beyond their immediate operating area.
