A growing number of private hire drivers in Liverpool are operating under licences issued by a council almost 90 miles away, according to new data revealed through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
The figures, obtained from the City of Wolverhampton Council, show that 479 private hire driver licences and 695 vehicle licences were granted in 2024 to applicants using Liverpool postcodes. Despite being based in Merseyside, these drivers are legally allowed to operate under Wolverhampton licences due to current taxi and private hire legislation.
Why Are Drivers Licensing Outside Liverpool?
It’s widely believed that many drivers opt to license with Wolverhampton due to its reputation for being quicker, cheaper, and more lenient in comparison to other local authorities — although Wolverhampton Council has repeatedly denied these claims, stating their licensing process is neither easier nor less costly.
Nonetheless, Wolverhampton-plated vehicles are now a regular sight across Liverpool and wider Merseyside on platforms like Uber, Bolt, and Ola.
National Concerns Over ‘Out-of-Area’ Licensing
The controversy around cross-border licensing isn’t new. Earlier this year, another FOI request revealed that a staggering 96% of drivers licensed by Wolverhampton in the past year live outside its council boundaries.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, originally from Merseyside, has been vocal on the issue. At a press conference in April, he criticised what he described as a “broken system”:
“We’re on the verge of not licensing the majority of our taxis… If the growth in out-of-area licences continues, we’ll soon lose control over most of our local fleet.”
He has called on the government to use the upcoming English Devolution Bill to:
- Devolve taxi licensing powers to Mayoral Combined Authorities.
- Put an end to the practice of ‘out-of-area’ licensing.
Mayor Burnham also pointed out that more than 11% of all private hire vehicles in England are now licensed by Wolverhampton, a massive increase from under 0.5% a decade ago.
Liverpool City Council’s Response
Liverpool City Council has acknowledged the concerns but says its hands are tied under current legislation. Councillor Harry Doyle, cabinet member for licensing, said last month:
“This is a national issue. While we understand the frustration felt by local drivers, we currently have no legal power to prevent out-of-area vehicles from operating in Liverpool.”
Councillor Doyle added that many drivers licensed in Wolverhampton are based in Liverpool, but opt for different authorities due to Liverpool’s more stringent standards, including enhanced training requirements — standards which the council takes pride in maintaining for the safety of residents and visitors.
Liverpool City Council Leader, Councillor Liam Robinson, has reportedly raised the issue directly with Wolverhampton Council and is actively engaging with other local authorities and the government to advocate for change.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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