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Walsall and Wolverhampton Council taxi and PHV checks find no vehicles requiring suspension, but warn of window tints and prescribed glasses
Walsall Council and City of Wolverhampton council officers inspected 30 licensed vehicles during a joint evening enforcement operation, with no vehicles suspended.
The operation took place on 25 September 2026 and involved West Midlands Police and community protection officers. Vehicles were stopped and checked against the standards required to carry passengers safely.
Officers found minor defects, which were fixed on the night. Drivers returned to confirm the issues had been addressed.
Police also required tint to be removed from one vehicle’s windows. One driver was reminded to wear their prescribed glasses while driving.
The councils said the results indicated improved compliance compared with a March 2025 operation, when 50% of inspected vehicles were suspended over safety concerns.
Councillor Ian Benton, Portfolio Holder for Street Scene and Enforcement at Walsall Council, said: “ When people get into a licensed taxi, they should be able to trust that the vehicle meets the required standards and that passenger safety is being taken seriously. It was encouraging to see an improvement in overall compliance during this operation, with minor issues being put right on the night.
“Regular checks are an important part of making sure drivers understand their responsibilities and that problems are dealt with when they are found. We will continue working with neighbouring councils, West Midlands Police and our Community Protection team to carry out checks and take action where needed. These operations help protect passengers and support the drivers who maintain the right standards. “
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Cabinet Member for Resident Services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Ensuring the safety of the travelling public is our highest priority, which is why our officers carry out regular enforcement activity across the country wherever our licensed drivers are working. We will continue to support councils such as Walsall in delivering compliance operations that help ensure licensed vehicles meet the standards expected of the trade.
“As part of this work we also target illegal 'ghost plates' and use laser technology to check vehicles meet the legal minimum tyre tread depth of 1.6mm.“
