Manchester demands Deregulation Act change after Wolves numbers revealed

Transport for Greater Manchester wants to change the law in a bid to restrict Mancunian private hire drivers from getting licensed by other local authorities.

Transport for Greater Manchester wants to change the law in a bid to restrict Mancunian private hire drivers from getting licensed by other local authorities.

The call comes after a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Manchester Evening News revealed that more than one-third of all PHV drivers in Greater Manchester were licensed in Wolverhampton. The FoI request revealed that 8,952 private hire drivers licensed by Wolverhampton Council, live in Greater Manchester - around 35% of the private hire drivers operating across the city region.

A TfGM spokesperson said: “Current legislation means that outside of London, private hire drivers can operate anywhere in England and Wales, regardless of where they are licensed. The existing system means that local councils can’t guarantee a high standard from ‘out of area’ drivers and their vehicles.”

“A change in the law is required to make sure that anyone who drives or operates a taxi or private hire vehicle in Greater Manchester meets high safety standards and is licensed in our area.”

“Greater Manchester leaders have sought powers from the government to tackle the challenges posed by ‘out-of-area’ operation of private hire services and to date these have not been devolved.”

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham also weighed in. In an interview with BBC Radio Manchester, he said: “How are they allowing it, the other authorities, who are 100 or so miles away. How are they not checking up on those taxis and those drivers, but they’re taking in the money for it.”

“They shouldn’t be doing it because they’re giving plates without being able to then monitor the performance.”

But under the 2015 Deregulation Act, private hire drivers can license a vehicle in any area, regardless of whether or not they live or work there.

Wolverhampton Council has aggressively targeted the sector, recruiting more licensing staff and promising a smoother, faster and cheaper service that most other councils.

There are 36,033 private hire drivers with a Wolverhampton plate in the UK, FoI data has revealed, which is 13% of Wolverhampton's total population of 262,000. By comparison, only 16,343 PHV drivers have a Greater Manchester license plate. Under Manchester City Council, it costs £255 to register as a new private hire driver plus costs for tests and between £222 and £342 to register a vehicle (depending on its age).

Under Wolverhampton Council, the application fee for a new private hire driver is £49 for a one-year licence or £98 for a three-year license and £95 to register a vehicle under 10 years old.

The main difference in standards relates to the age of vehicles allowed, with Greater Manchester councils requiring newer vehicles and more advanced background checks.

Wolverhampton Council claims applicants undergo a “strict and rigorous” process that includes a one day training course, enhanced DBS checks, a medical certification and a face-to-face English assessment. In 2021 and 2022, 55% of applicants failed the checks, according to the council.

Greater Manchester sought powers to restrict out of area operation in its Trailblazer negotiations, but did not get agreement from the Government as part of the devolution deal.