The Issue

Cross-border taxi licensing is destroying trust, safety, and fairness in our communities.

Because of a legal loophole created by the Deregulation Act 2015, private hire drivers can get licensed in one council with weaker standards — and then operate in towns like ours with no local enforcement, no proper vetting, and no accountability.

Local councils can no longer:

• Cap the number of taxi licences issued
• Enforce their own safety standards
• Vet drivers who work on their streets

This means that thousands of drivers are flooding local areas under licences issued by authorities like Wolverhampton — undercutting local firms and bypassing public safety rules.

It’s unfair. It’s unsafe. And it needs to end.

Why This Matters

• Vulnerable passengers — including women, children, and the elderly — are being picked up by drivers licensed miles away, without local checks or complaint routes.
• Local councils are powerless to stop it, even when they know it’s wrong.
• Local firms and drivers who play by the rules are being pushed out of business.
• The issue has even been raised in child safeguarding reports and government audits.

This isn’t about competition. It’s about common sense and public protection.

What We’re Asking For

We call on the UK Government and Department for Transport to:

• Close the cross-border licensing loophole
• Restore councils’ power to cap and control taxi licences
• Enforce local standards for local streets

It’s time to bring safety, trust, and fairness back to the taxi industry.

Sign this petition to show your support.

Whether you’re a driver, operator, passenger, or local resident — your voice matters.

Let’s protect local jobs, local streets, and local accountability.
Let’s stop cross-border chaos and take back control of taxi licensing.