Wolverhampton taxi and private hire vehicle compliance checks sees vehicle suspended

Image credit: Wolverhampton Public Protection

Wolverhampton’s taxi compliance officers, alongside West Midlands Police and a local councillor, conducted unannounced inspections of taxis and private hire vehicles this week.

The operation, intended to ensure that all vehicles remain fit for purpose, saw licensing officials stop and assess the condition and legality of the cars in use.

Images released by officials show the joint effort as compliance officers and police reviewed the vehicles, scrutinising documentation and overall safety standards. The operation resulted in at least one vehicle being suspended from service, deemed unfit for private hire use.

The checks are not always confined to Wolverhampton's boundaries. The team carry out inspections across various locations. The cross-border nature of the taxi and private hire trade means vehicles licensed in one area often work across city lines now.

Under current legislation, Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles can operate anywhere in the country, not just within the city itself. This has led to concerns about whether such vehicles adhere to the required standards when operating beyond the reach of their local licensing body. To address this, Wolverhampton’s compliance officers actively conduct spot checks outside their direct jurisdiction, ensuring that the standards expected of their licensed operators are consistently met regardless of location.

The city has become a significant hub for private hire licensing, issuing thousands of licences across the country. Wolverhampton officials have faced scrutiny in the past for the high volume of vehicles they licensc, and these inspections are part of ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and uphold licensing conditions wherever Wolverhampton-registered vehicles are in operation.

A City of Wolverhampton Public Protection spokesperson said: “Wolverhampton Taxi Compliance working with West Midland Police and joined by local councillor in Wolverhampton spot checking taxis and private hire vehicle ensuring fit for purpose.”