Joint Wolverhampton Council and Warwickshire Police taxi and minicab operation sees driver suspended

In a coordinated operation on 6 April, Warwickshire Police, in collaboration with City of Wolverhampton Council's taxi compliance officers, inspected 40 taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers and their vehicles in Leamington and Warwick.

The operation, aimed to ensure the compliance of drivers and vehicles with licensing and documentation standards, was overseen by specially trained Traffic Officers. The focus was on ensuring that drivers, who have chosen to be licensed through Wolverhampton, adhered to the necessary regulations while operating outside of their area.

The checks involved not only scrutinising the licensing and documentation but also the roadworthiness and overall safety of the vehicles. Officers with vehicle inspection and prohibition powers assessed the condition of the vehicles to ensure they met safety standards.

During the inspections, one driver faced immediate suspension by the licensing authority and was prosecuted for two bald tyres. His vehicle was subsequently prohibited from service until the tyres were replaced. Additionally, seven drivers received formal warnings for various infringements, while four others were advised that their tyres were nearing the legal limit.

Private hire vehicle drivers are required to meet specific standards, including holding a valid private hire licence, and passing relevant background and medical checks. They must also maintain a valid driver's licence, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

The joint operation highlighted the challenges faced by local authorities in regulating drivers who are licensed outside their jurisdiction. It emphasised the need for cooperation between different licensing bodies to ensure that safety and compliance standards are consistently met across the board.

The involvement of City of Wolverhampton Council's taxi compliance officers highlighted the collaborative effort needed to address cross-jurisdictional licensing issues, which have become increasingly common as drivers shop around for the best or easiest licensing options.

The operation underscores the vital role of regulatory bodies in maintaining safety standards within the taxi industry, ensuring that both drivers and their vehicles meet the necessary requirements to operate legally and safely.

Sergeant 1173 Simon Dalby who led the operation said: “We were pleased to see that the majority of taxi drivers we checked during the operation had carried out their vehicle checks and the vehicles were safe to be on the road.

“Checking drivers are using a safe, approved vehicle when carrying members of the public and following all laws and regulations will undoubtedly help improve road safety, and reduce the risk of collisions.

“Checking the taxi driver documentation also helps reduce the risk to vulnerable people who may fall prey to unlicensed drivers in the night time economy.

“Please always use reputable companies and apps when booking a taxi.  When the taxi arrives, the driver should be wearing photographic identification as well as having their private hire licence displayed within the vehicle.

“Due to the success of the operation, we will be doing it again soon to cover all our towns across the county.”

John Roseblade, Director of Resident Services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "City of Wolverhampton Council takes its licensing responsibilities seriously and our officers work proactively across the country, carrying out regular operations with partners to protect the public.

"We will continue to support Warwickshire Police to carry out further random checks on taxis over the coming months to ensure both the driver and vehicle meet the requirements to carry members of the public."