Out-of-area private hire vehicle checks hits Nuneaton streets as cross-border cabs face late-night crackdown
- Perry Richardson
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Licensing officers carried out late-night compliance checks on private hire vehicles in Nuneaton and Bedworth last Friday as part of a joint operation with police and council enforcement teams.
The patrol was led by City of Wolverhampton Council licensing officers alongside Warwickshire Police and colleagues from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. Vehicles were stopped to verify licensing status, insurance, identification plates and general compliance with local and national private hire rules.
Such operations rely on police powers to stop vehicles, while council officers assess licensing conditions and take action where breaches are found. Outcomes can range from advice and warnings to licence suspension, prosecution or vehicle seizure in more serious cases.
The checks come against the backdrop of growing concern across the taxi sector over cross-border hire. Under current legislation, private hire vehicles can be licensed by one council but operate anywhere in England, provided bookings are taken by an operator licensed by the same authority as the driver and vehicle.
Joint patrol highlights enforcement focus as councils face pressure over out-of-area private hire vehicles
Industry groups and many local authorities argue the system is increasingly being used to base large numbers of vehicles in areas far from their licensing authority, often because standards and fees are lower elsewhere. This has led to claims of unfair competition for locally licensed drivers who must meet stricter conditions on vehicle age, emissions, safeguarding and training.
Enforcement is also more complex. Councils have limited powers over vehicles licensed outside their area, meaning investigations, complaints and disciplinary action often have to be referred back to a distant authority. Joint operations are one of the few tools available to identify illegal activity such as uninsured driving, false plates or drivers working without a valid licence.
The Government are currently consulting on what changes are needed to tackle cross-border hire as part of a major reform shake-up around taxi and private hire licensing. Councils continue to step up visible enforcement to manage its impact on local taxi markets and public confidence, particularly in busy night-time economies.
