In a major step toward tightening enforcement across the private hire trade, Wolverhampton City Council has formally authorised multiple other local authorities to carry out compliance inspections and enforcement on Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles operating in their areas.
Shared powers under national legislation
The move was approved under Section 101(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 and Sections 68 and 73 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
These legal provisions allow one local authority to delegate certain powers to another — including the ability to inspect, test and, if necessary, suspend a vehicle’s licence when safety or compliance issues are identified.
Councils now empowered
The following enforcement teams have received official authorisation letters from Wolverhampton Council confirming their powers:
- Telford & Wrekin Council
- Ashfield District Council
- Broxtowe Borough Council
- Mansfield District Council
- Newark & Sherwood District Council
- Nottingham City Council
- Rushcliffe Borough Council
- Liverpool City Council
Further expansion is expected, with discussions ongoing with Bassetlaw, Gedling, and Sefton Councils to join the scheme.
What enforcement officers can now do
Authorised officers from these councils can:
- Inspect Wolverhampton-licensed hackney carriages and private hire vehicles working in their area.
- Suspend a vehicle’s licence immediately if it fails an inspection or test.
- Issue a written notice requiring defects to be corrected before the vehicle can return to service.
- Enforce offences such as obstructing an authorised officer, failing to comply with lawful requirements, or knowingly making false statements.
Wolverhampton Council stressed that obstructing an authorised officer or providing false information is a criminal offence under Section 73 of the 1976 Act.
Why Wolverhampton is taking this step
Wolverhampton’s taxi licensing team says the agreement strengthens national consistency and closes enforcement gaps created by drivers operating “out of area.”
It follows a successful trial in partnership with Milton Keynes Council, where over 800 vehicle checks were carried out and several Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles were suspended for safety reasons.
The council said the shared approach supports its Taxi Compliance Strategy, improves passenger safety, and ensures that all licensed vehicles — regardless of where they operate — are held to the same high standards.
What it means for drivers
Drivers and operators holding Wolverhampton badges will now face possible inspection or suspension from enforcement officers outside the city.
This is part of a wider move by local authorities and the Department for Transport to strengthen cross-border cooperation and bring taxi and private-hire regulation in line with modern working patterns and app-based platforms.
Source: DM News – Wolverhampton New Rules
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