CROSS BORDER TAXI DEBATE: “Are you licensed with Wolverhampton? If so, why?”
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
Private hire licensing issued by City of Wolverhampton Council continues to draw mixed views from across the taxi and private hire industry. While many drivers opt for Wolverhampton licences due to speed, cost and convenience, critics question whether the current system undermines local control and consistent standards.
TaxiPoint asked readers whether they held a Wolverhampton licence and, if so, why. The responses highlighted a pattern that has become more common in recent years: drivers increasingly turning to Wolverhampton not because they live or work there, but because their local councils make the licensing process more difficult, expensive, or restrictive.
Several drivers pointed to delays or refusals by local councils during or after the COVID-19 pandemic. John Tomlinson, based in Liverpool, was advised by a local firm to apply through Wolverhampton when Liverpool Council had paused issuing new licences. He completed the Wolverhampton course and received his badge months later. Since then, he has had no problems renewing.
Other drivers cited the simplicity of the process. “It’s easy, quick and cheap,” said one. Another said the Wolverhampton process was “smooth and fast”, especially compared to places like Hull, where one driver described a nine-month wait to get licensed and strict requirements for vehicle testing.
Costs were another key factor. A Solihull driver said renewing his licence cost over £500 over three years, including medical and DBS fees, prompting many to choose Wolverhampton. Others noted how Wolverhampton’s fully online application process, with fewer in-person steps, added to the appeal.
Driver Kamran Afzal said the wider industry debate on Wolverhampton licensing was misdirected. He pointed out that Wolverhampton has a test system in place and daily DBS checks—something not all councils do. He said criticism is often politically motivated and distracts from bigger issues like low pay and driver conditions.
Still, the licensing approach is not without controversy. Critics argue the system allows “out of area” working, where drivers are licensed in one authority but operate elsewhere—sometimes hundreds of miles away. Lee Flanagan said drivers should only be allowed to work in their own or neighbouring areas. Jason Haiselden proposed a national register and capped driver numbers to prevent some authorities becoming a back door for national operation.
The issue has also raised questions about fairness. Drivers in cities like Manchester or Hull say they face stricter vehicle tests, higher fees and limited options, while others bypass these by heading to Wolverhampton. As one driver noted, councils that don’t host Uber operator licences often leave local drivers with little choice but to license elsewhere to work on the platform.
The debate shows no sign of slowing, especially as private hire apps expand into more towns and cities. The balance between local control, national operation, and fair standards remains at the centre of discussion.
