Lancaster taxi and private hire complaints surge driven by out-of-area vehicles and safety concerns
- Perry Richardson
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Taxi and private hire complaints in Lancaster rose to 122 cases in 2025, with the majority linked to out-of-area vehicles and safety-related incidents, according to the city council’s latest licensing report.
The annual review, presented to the Licensing Committee, shows that 64 complaints were associated with Uber and other out-of-town licensed vehicles operating in the district, making it the single largest category of concern for enforcement teams.
The data highlights the growing operational challenge faced by local authorities in monitoring vehicles licensed elsewhere but working within their boundaries. Under current legislation, drivers and vehicles can operate across council borders provided bookings are made through an operator licensed in the same authority. This currently limits Lancaster City Council’s ability to enforce its own licensing standards on those vehicles.
The report states that many complaints relate to issues such as incorrect signage and allegations of drivers “importuning for hire” or appearing to operate like taxis without proper pre-bookings. In six cases, evidence suggested out-of-area vehicles were present on Lancaster taxi ranks, prompting warning letters to be issued via the relevant licensing authorities.
Annual licensing report reveals majority of complaints linked to cross-border activity and public safety issues
Public safety concerns formed another significant portion of complaints, with 11 cases involving issues such as careless driving, mobile phone use behind the wheel and failure to wear seatbelts. More serious incidents led to immediate licence revocations, including arrests for offences such as possession with intent to supply drugs, dangerous driving and inappropriate behaviour towards passengers.
The report confirms that five complaints directly resulted in drivers having their licences revoked with immediate effect, underlining the regulatory priority placed on passenger safety.
Operational and conduct-related complaints also featured prominently. A total of 23 cases were classified under “other”, including disputes over taxi rank behaviour, over-ranking, poor customer service and misuse of vehicle signage. Instances of drivers playing loud music while carrying passengers and the sale of hackney carriage plates without vehicles were also recorded.
Incidents involving violence and aggression accounted for 13 complaints, including verbal altercations between drivers and reports of racist language. Overcharging allegations were relatively low at six cases, while five complaints related to drivers failing to display badges or tariffs correctly.
The council noted that investigating complaints remains complex, with many cases relying on conflicting accounts from passengers and drivers. Licensing officers typically gather evidence including CCTV footage, witness statements and operator booking records before determining whether further action is required.
