Manchester taxi drivers on why they get licences from Wolverhampton

A recent investigation found that more than a third of private hire drivers – who work for companies like Uber – are actually licensed by City of Wolverhampton Council who operate 80 miles away.

A Freedom of Information request found that 8,952 private hire drivers licensed in Wolverhampton reside in Greater Manchester, making up up 35 per cent of the private hire cabs operating across the city-region.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has weighed in on the issue, criticising these ‘out of town’ drivers for using a legal loophole to get away with having ‘lower standards’ of practice. Current legislation means that private hire drivers can operate anywhere in the UK outside of London, even if they are not licensed in that particular area.

It’s a practice that infuriates some black cab drivers, who feel they are having to compete with drivers who have shopped around to get a licence under a less stringent regime. Wolverhampton council deny that their licensing process is quicker and easier and cheaper.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service went down to the taxi rank around Manchester Piccadilly station to hear what the drivers themselves had to say – and found a number of drivers who argued that Wolverhampton was simply offering drivers a better service than they could get locally.

Waiting for a fare, Uber driver Muhammed Kahn, an Uber driver licensed by Wolverhampton, said: “Everything is online (with Wolves Council). They have good service and helpful officers.

“The city here, when I booked an appointment to get the tests, it was scheduled for four or five months later. Then the document they gave me was so difficult to read and understand.

“The test for Wolves is not easier, but they offer us more support and we go through a training course. I found out to do it there online as you can see all their positive ratings and reviews. It is all much easier and smoother (the process), the first steps, the DBS check, everything.

“I am still in communication with them as they help me with any issues I have. I would get licences with Manchester if it was easier.”

Shakeel Malik, another Uber driver licensed in Wolverhampton, defends Wolverhampton’s checks, explaining how the licensing team picked up on the tiniest details wrong with his car before giving him a licence.

“It is the people from everywhere doing it (getting licensed in Wolverhampton), not just here,” he said. “There are checks with Wolves Council. They check everything about the vehicle and everything is properly done.

“Their standards are very high. Compared to them, prices in Manchester are high.

“It’s also easier to deal with Wolves Council. They give you a class in the morning (of licensing tests) and help us prepare.

“They help us through the process, and they follow the rules. I will agree that it is cheaper, that’s true, but it is not easier in terms of checks and standards.”

‘I’ve thought about going to Wolverhampton myself. Manchester needs to change.’

Parked up just a few cars behind Shakeel on Fairfield Street waits Amir Shokatyan, a Uber driver licensed with Bury Council – and who says he is tempted to jump ship and get a licence in Wolverhampton.

Having waited two hours for a job on Thursday morning, he explained that every penny counts in a cost of living crisis where fuel prices have shot up and less people are using taxis.

“I am licensed with Bury Council and I think it’s difficult to get in and it’s so expensive (compared to Wolverhampton).

“I’ve thought about joining Wolverhampton to be honest. The wait for a licence is longer here and it’s cheaper there.

“All of the Greater Manchester councils make it so difficult. I waited for a long time during Covid for a licence as mine had expired for three months.

“I had to start again with all the tests after three months without my licence, I can’t have forgotten everything in that time. I’ve been with Bury since 2008.

“Manchester needs to change to make it easier. For the Wolves drivers, I’m happy for them as it costs more here.”

‘They’re licensed there but work here – and don’t have much knowledge of anything’

The feeling is not the same amongst all drivers though. Tariq Mahmood is one of the longest serving cabbies in Manchester having driven a hackney carriage man a long time before joining Uber. The 65-year-old has been working in the trade since 1982 and firmly believes that you should be licensed in the area that you work.

Proudly showing his Manchester City Council plates, he said: “It is legal. It’s up to them, but I think they should drive in Wolverhampton if that is where they are licensed.

“It’s messed up honestly. They are all driving in Manchester but have no licences here – it is messed up.

“I think it’s easier and cheaper, plus you have to spend more money on licences and MOTs in Manchester. With Wolverhampton it is one MOT a year but you have to have three (annually) here.”

Asgedom Solomon, a hackney carriage driver added: “They are making a difference to business. They’re licensed there but work here, it’s not good.

“They don’t have much knowledge as well, they don’t know where they’re going. There is also the language problem sometimes.

“The issues are that there is less business for us (black cab drivers) and there are safety issues. Manchester has more exams, it’s not simple, but you have to study and know what you are doing. You have to do the work as a proper taxi driver, they don’t have knowledge of anything.”

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham would seem to be on the side of Asgedom and Tariq, urging the people of Greater Manchester to avoid any taxis donning Wolverhampton plates.

“How can you guarantee the safety of people on the streets from there (Wolverhampton),” Mr Burnham said on the latest ‘In the Hotseat’ programme on BBC Radio Manchester. “I think the reason people go there is because they don’t charge as much to licence taxis.

“The checks they do aren’t as stringent and it is not right. They are undermining public safety in Greater Manchester.

“I appeal to the government and to the council in Wolverhampton to change what they are doing as it does not build public safety. I would say to any Greater Manchester resident, only use taxi firms that are registered in one of our 10 boroughs.”

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.

There are 36,033 private hire drivers with a Wolverhampton plate in total in the UK, FOI data has revealed, a number which would represent 13 per cent of Wolverhampton’s total population (around 262,000). By comparison, 16,343 private hires have a Greater Manchester licence plate.

‘We make no apologies for being strict’

Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, executive member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester Council, said: “When it comes to taxi licensing the primary goal of the Council is to do everything in our power to ensure passenger safety.

“We make no apology that our licensing programme for private hire vehicles is strict, however, we feel this is the best and most responsible way to manage our taxi fleet. More stringent testing and requirements on drivers or their cars may seem like an imposition, but it is the only way that we can guarantee that they are fit to serve Manchester residents.

“We are also a huge city, which sees tens of millions of visitors pass through it every year, as well as the millions of travellers which fly through Manchester Airport. As one of the busiest city-regions in the country it is vital that our taxi and private hire licensing regime is designed to reflect the city’s vision of its public transport needs and standards.

“Our service operates on a cost-recovery principle and does not receive any central funding from government. Our focus is to provide the most effective and responsive service while not pricing drivers out of the market, especially during these difficult economic times.

“In many cases delays in licensing applications are out of our control, such as delays during DBS checks or applicants not supplying the correct information during the process. Throughout this process applicants are supported by licensing officers should they need help navigating the application or renewal process.

“Ultimately the Council believes that the Government needs to support local authorities in ensuring those working in the city maintain the highest of standards, that ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. We will continue to make this case alongside our partners across Greater Manchester.”

A council spokesman said: “The council adheres to legal requirements including conducting thorough checks to ensure the highest standards are met to ensure the safety of the travelling public in Bury.

“Although some elements of the process are outside of our control we continue to make improvements where we can, such as online applications that are automated and can be completed more quickly and at the driver’s convenience.

“We are committed to continually working with and listening to Bury taxi drivers and the trade and have recently completed a consultation reviewing elements of current standards to support them.”

Wolverhampton Council have previously denied that it is ‘quicker and easier’ to get a private hire licence with them, claiming applicants undergo a ‘strict and rigorous’ process that includes a one day training course, enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks, a medical certification and a face to face English assessment.

A previous report stated that in 2021 and 2022, 55 per cent of applicants failed the checks, according to the council.

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 licence and £95 to register a vehicle under 10 years old.

A Transport for Greater Manchester spokesperson said previously: “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.”

‘We can’t turn someone down because they live in a different area – we’re efficient but rigorous’

A spokesperson for City of Wolverhampton Council said: “While City of Wolverhampton Council has never actively encouraged applications from drivers outside the city, existing legislation requires that if an application is submitted and requirements are met, then the application must be granted. The council may not refuse an applicant simply because they live in a different area.

“Our early adoption of digital technology has allowed us to offer a simple and efficient online application procedure, with the requirement that drivers attend in person for training and strict assessment before an application can be processed.

“Applicants are usually local to the area they drive in, but many have chosen to be licensed in Wolverhampton due to our efficient, yet rigorous, licensing process. Public safety is of paramount importance to us. Partnership working with our Licensing colleagues and other agencies shows our commitment to upholding our responsibilities; we expect drivers and vehicles licensed by us to always maintain the highest standards.

“This is irrespective of the administrative boundary within which they are operating at any particular time. City of Wolverhampton Council takes its enforcement responsibilities seriously and our officers are out across the country, every Friday and Saturday night, working to protect the public.”