Wolverhampton private hire vehicles checked in Liverpool during out-of-area joint operation
- Perry Richardson
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Taxis and private hire vehicles licensed by the City of Wolverhampton Council were checked for compliance in Liverpool on 5 June. The checks were part of a joint operation between Wolverhampton Council, Liverpool City Council Licensing and Merseyside Police Traffic.
A Wolverhampton Council spokesperson confirmed the details on 6 June, stating that Compliance Officers had been in Liverpool alongside local teams to inspect licensed vehicles.
This type of operation often draws attention because the vehicles inspected are not licensed in the city where the checks take place. In this case, Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles were working in Liverpool.
The reason for this practice stems from current licensing laws. Drivers can legally operate in areas outside of the council that licensed them. As long as the booking is taken through a licensed operator based in the same area as the vehicle licence, drivers are allowed to work across council boundaries. Wolverhampton, in particular, licenses a large number of drivers who often work in other cities, including Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
However, the issue remains controversial. Some local authorities and trade groups argue that it undermines local enforcement and creates an uneven playing field for drivers who are licensed and regulated by the local council. They say that local licensing teams have limited control over out-of-area drivers, which can lead to inconsistent standards and enforcement.
Others defend the practice, pointing to the flexibility it offers to drivers and operators. Councils like Wolverhampton argue that their licensing systems meet national standards and that joint operations with other councils help maintain public safety across regions.
A City of Wolverhampton Council Public Protection spokesperson said: “Last night, Compliance Officers were working in Liverpool with colleagues from Liverpool City Council Licensing and Merseyside Police Traffic carrying out compliance checks on licensed vehicles during a successful joint-working operation.”
