CONTACTLESS LICENCE CHECKS: Wolverhampton Council first to roll out tap-to-check taxi and private hire driver licences
- Perry Richardson
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Passengers in Wolverhampton can now check their taxi or private hire driver’s licence with a simple tap of their smartphone, thanks to a new digital ID card system launched by the City of Wolverhampton Council.
The council is the first local authority in the UK to use contactless Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to provide real-time driver licence verification. The new feature allows passengers to instantly confirm a driver’s identity and licence validity by tapping the ID card with an NFC-enabled phone.
Each card links to the council’s daily-updated driver database. This ensures passengers are receiving accurate and current licence details directly from the council’s system. The move is aimed at increasing safety and reducing the risk of fraudulent drivers operating with fake ID cards.
The contactless cards have been designed with enhanced security in mind. In addition to the digital element, they feature physical security designs including a hologram, optically variable inks, and guilloche patterns – measures typically used in official documents like passports and banknotes.
Around 15,000 licensed drivers have already received the new cards, which have been tapped more than 40,000 times to date. The rollout will continue over the next three years as existing licences are renewed.
The cards are displayed in the front windscreen on the passenger side of licensed vehicles. Passengers are advised to check the card before entering the vehicle. It can be tapped through the glass, and if a licence shows as invalid, they should not proceed with the journey and instead report the driver to the council.
For those without NFC-compatible phones, licence checks can still be carried out via the council’s website at wolverhampton.gov.uk/DriverRegister.
The system was developed with British firm Euclid, which also works on identity schemes for governments worldwide.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Once again, Wolverhampton is leading the way by using cutting edge technology in taxi and private hire licensing.
“We have worked with our supplier, Euclid, to create cards that use ingenious technology to improve the public’s trust in their drivers. This technology makes checking your driver’s licence and identity far simpler than calling the council and the security features in the card also make it much harder for potential fraudsters.
“Not only do the new cards offer extra reassurance, they are also more environmentally-friendly and prevent the need for tens of thousands of plastic licences to be printed every year.”
Geoff Neal, managing director of Euclid Ltd, said: “Euclid has been delighted to offer their expertise in support of City of Wolverhampton Council on this exciting opportunity, bringing innovative enhancements to their Taxi Licensing service, especially in regard to improving safety for passengers, by giving them confidence that their driver is both genuine and licensed.”
