Leeds taxi drivers warn licensing shake-up will be ‘total disaster’ with more out-of-area PHV drivers flooding the area

Taxi drivers in Leeds are set to stage a protest this weekend as concerns grow over proposed reforms to local licensing structures and the continued impact of cross-border hiring on the trade.

The demonstration, organised by Unite the Union, will take place at the Bilal Centre in Leeds on Sunday afternoon, bringing together drivers, operators and union representatives. The action centres on opposition to government proposals that could see taxi licensing authorities across West Yorkshire merged into a single body.

Industry representatives argue the proposed consolidation would fail to address longstanding issues linked to cross-border hiring, a practice that allows private hire vehicles licensed in one authority area to undertake journeys in another. Critics say this creates enforcement challenges and uneven regulatory standards.

Cross-border hiring became more prominent following legislative changes introduced under the Deregulation Act 2015. The framework permits operators to accept bookings remotely, even when the journey occurs outside their licensing jurisdiction. Trade groups claim this has led to “licence shopping”, with drivers opting for authorities perceived to have less stringent requirements.

Union warns proposed consolidation of West Yorkshire licensing authorities risks worsening enforcement gaps and driver incomes

Unite and local drivers argue the system has eroded earnings for drivers licensed in Leeds, while also limiting the ability of local authorities to enforce safety and compliance standards. According to union members, the presence of out-of-area vehicles operating in the city has increased significantly in recent years.

Mike Utting, a Leeds-based taxi operator and Unite member, said the situation on the ground had become increasingly difficult to regulate. He stated: “Thousands of cross-border taxis are already coming to Leeds and picking up people without bookings and doing what they want. There are only five enforcement officers working a week – so it’s nearly totally unregulated. It has also greatly reduced the income of Leeds-based private hire and Hackney carriage drivers.”

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Concerns over passenger safety have also been raised in connection with fragmented licensing standards. The Casey Review highlighted inconsistencies in taxi and private hire regulation as a contributing risk factor, particularly in safeguarding vulnerable passengers. The report called for more consistent national standards and improved oversight.

The UK Government is currently consulting on proposals to reduce the number of taxi licensing authorities in England from more than 260 to around 70. In West Yorkshire, this could result in a single licensing body covering multiple local authority areas, including Leeds.

However, Unite argues that structural consolidation alone will not resolve the underlying issues. The union is instead calling for targeted regulatory changes, including a requirement that private hire journeys must start or end within the driver’s licensed area, alongside the introduction of national minimum standards for vetting, safeguarding and training.

Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite, said: “The proposed reforms will not solve the problems created by cross border hiring. Unite will continue to hold the government to account until proper protections for drivers and passengers are in place.”

Local operators have also warned that a unified licensing system across West Yorkshire could increase competition from out-of-area vehicles. Utting added: “The proposal to combine all West Yorkshire’s licensing authorities would make it worse. Up to 10,000 vehicles from all over West Yorkshire would be able come to the city to ply for their trade. It would be total disaster for the public and taxi drivers of Leeds.”