A TikTok video has captured the moment a blue Toyota Auris, displaying Wolverhampton private-hire plates and Uber stickers, was driven directly along a tram line in Manchester — with an actual Metrolink tram following behind it.
DM News Commentary
This latest incident comes at a time when tensions around out-of-area licensing remain high across Greater Manchester, especially regarding the large number of Wolverhampton-licensed private hire vehicles operating in the region.
In the TikTok footage, the driver of the blue Toyota Auris appears to have mistakenly turned onto the tram tracks before continuing to drive along the line, with a Metrolink tram travelling behind him. Although no collision occurred, the incident highlights a serious safety risk — both to passengers onboard the tram and to the wider public using the city centre.
Driving on tram lines is strictly prohibited in Manchester except for authorised vehicles, and Metrolink’s tram corridors are not designed for regular road traffic. When a private hire vehicle enters the tracks, trams are forced to brake heavily or halt completely, causing delays and posing obvious danger.
This clip is another example likely to fuel public debate about the operational pressures faced by private-hire drivers who work outside their licensing area — particularly those using app-based navigation that does not always account for restrictions such as tram corridors, bus gates or pedestrian-only zones.
It also raises a wider question many local drivers will be asking: would a Manchester-licensed private hire driver with local knowledge and daily experience navigating the city centre have made the same mistake? While nobody is immune to errors, familiarity with road layouts around Piccadilly, St Peter’s Square and Corporation Street can make a significant difference, especially in areas where signage is tight and road layouts change for events, pedestrian zones and diversion routes.
For Manchester’s local taxi and PHV trade, the scene will feel familiar. Drivers frequently report seeing vehicles ending up in restricted areas, particularly those unfamiliar with the city. The clip will likely reignite calls for tighter controls around out-of-area working and the need for improved navigation guidance on ride-hailing platforms.
As of now, there has been no official statement from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Greater Manchester Police (GMP), or Uber regarding this specific incident. If any formal response is issued, DM News will update readers.
The footage was posted on TikTok here: tiktok.com/ZNRJG1dyg.
Thanks for visiting DM News!
If you’ve got a question, story, or anything you’d like to say, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you! And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
