”UNFAIR TO LOCAL DRIVERS”: Hull MP demands urgent action on ‘out-of-area’ taxi and private hire loophole
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 6
- 2 min read
Karl Turner MP has written to the Government demanding action to stop taxi drivers licensed in other parts of the country from operating in Hull without meeting the city’s local standards.
The Hull East MP raised his concerns in a letter to Angela Rayner MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, highlighting the risks posed by the widespread use of “out-of-area” taxi licences. Turner said the practice weakens public confidence in licensing regulations and undermines both safety and professional standards.
The move follows a motion backed unanimously by Hull Labour Councillors at a full council meeting. They called for the Government to tighten licensing rules and restore control to local authorities.
Figures cited by Turner reveal that as of last year, 96% of drivers licensed by Wolverhampton Council were operating outside its boundaries. Wolverhampton alone accounted for 10% of all taxi licences issued nationally. Turner said these figures expose a regulatory gap allowing drivers to bypass local checks and operate without local knowledge or accountability.
Turner warned that the issue is already affecting Hull. Many drivers working in the city are licensed elsewhere and may not be familiar with Hull’s roads or local rules. This, he said, raises passenger safety concerns and risks to pedestrians and other road users.
He also noted the impact on locally licensed drivers, who are subject to more rigorous testing and standards. The current situation, Turner said, is threatening their livelihoods and damaging the integrity of Hull’s licensing system.
Calling for urgent reform, Turner urged the Government to introduce a fair and locally accountable licensing framework that supports safe travel and protects drivers who follow the rules.
Karl Turner MP said: “Following a motion led by Hull’s Labour Councillors, I’ve written to the Government calling for urgent reform to close the loophole that allows “out-of-area” taxi drivers to operate in Hull without meeting local licensing standards or having proper knowledge of our city.
“This system is unfair to local drivers and weakens the local authority’s ability to regulate who is picking up passengers on our streets. We need a licensing system that is fair, enforceable, and focused on keeping passengers safe.”
