CROSS BORDER CHECKS: All but one Wolverhampton private hire vehicles pass licensing checks in Manchester and Blackburn
The vast majority of City of Wolverhampton Council private hire vehicles (PHVs) successfully passed compliance inspections during recent enforcement operations in Greater Manchester and Blackburn on Wednesday.
The council’s Public Protection team, alongside Greater Manchester Police, DVSA, and Immigration Enforcement, conducted checks at Manchester Airport. A spokesperson confirmed that all 12 Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles inspected were roadworthy and fully compliant with licensing standards.
On the same day, officers joined Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Licensing for further checks in Blackburn and Darwen. One vehicle, licensed by another authority, was found with a tyre tread depth below the legal limit of 1.6mm. Its licence was immediately suspended.
These operations form the latest ongoing cross-border enforcement efforts. City of Wolverhampton Council licences thousands of private hire drivers, many of whom work outside the city’s boundaries. Under UK law, drivers can operate in any area if their operator, driver, and vehicle are all licensed by the same authority.
This has led to Wolverhampton becoming a major licensing hub, with many drivers working across the country. As a result, the council is legally required to conduct enforcement checks wherever its licensed vehicles operate, ensuring public safety and adherence to regulations.
A City of Wolverhampton Council Public Protection spokesperson said: “On Wednesday, Taxi Licensing Compliance worked with Greater Manchester Police Traffic and partners from the DVSA and Immigration Enforcement at Manchester Airport.
“All 12 City of Wolverhampton Council vehicles were found to be fully compliant and roadworthy.”
The spokesperson added: “Also, last Wednesday, compliance teamed up with Blackburn with Darwin Borough Council Licensing to conduct thorough vehicle and driver checks in Blackburn and Darwen and found this tyre with tread depth below 1.6mm.
“Vehicle licence suspended!”
