Number of Oldham licensed private hire vehicle drivers have more than DOUBLED in 18-month period
The number for Oldham Council licensed private hire vehicle drivers has more than DOUBLED in 18-month period, a report has revealed.
The Council’s Licensing Committee met on 29 October and reviewed a sharp rise in licensing activities and the resulting pressures on the service. The Licensing Team, responsible for managing taxi and private hire licensing, alcohol, entertainment, gambling, and street trading, outlined significant increases in applications and challenges faced since April 2024.
Licensing demands have surged, notably in taxi and private hire services. New applications for dual driver licences reached 906 in six months, driving the total of licensed drivers to 3,088—more than doubling since May 2023.
Private hire vehicle licences rose similarly, increasing from 1,030 to 1,756, while private hire operators expanded from 38 to 90. This rise has strained current resources, prompting recruitment of additional officers and extended opening hours to manage demand effectively.
According to the report, the Council is expanding its testing facilities at Moorhey Street to accommodate the increase in vehicle licensing. A third testing bay is being added, along with a waiting room and CCTV viewing for the testing area. The council aims to increase testing capacity, with plans underway to improve service efficiency through a new driver application system expected in late 2025.
Compliance has remained a priority. Since April, the team has conducted vehicle inspections with a pass rate of 64% for both Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, while the primary reasons for failure have included issues with brakes, suspension, and tyres.
Enforcement actions have been active, with 36 hearings before the Drivers Panel leading to suspensions, revocations, and application rejections, plus four urgent revocations. One recent case involved a revoked licence following prosecution for unlicensed driving, resulting in a two-year disqualification and a £4,671 penalty.
