I'm 99.9% sure this has nothing to do with cross-border working. And if it is, it could just as well be a car from any other local authority.
But the likelihood of seeing a Wolverhampton-plated car abroad is significantly higher than from the average licensing authority merely because of the sheer numbers plated by Wolverhampton - 35,000 or so, compared to a number in the hundreds plated by the average council.
Makes for a good headline in the local press, though. And at least it provides for an opportunity for Wolverhampton Council to issue a statement that isn't the usual boilerplate
'Just avoiding the M6 Toll' - Viral video shows Wolverhampton taxi spotted in Spain
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/vir ... in-8542165
A TikTok video has gone viral of a Wolverhampton taxi spotted in Spain.
A video of a Wolverhampton taxi spotted in Spain has gone viral on TikTok with users joking of the “expensive Uber ride”.
The video posted on Friday 8 May is credited to @Geoffbuycars and hears a man in the video saying: “I think this is one of the best things I have ever seen.
“That ladies and gentlemen is a UK-registered Toyota Estima, but do you know what the best bit is? It’s a taxi. Guess where it is registered? Wolverhampton”.
“What the heck is a Wolverhampton-registered taxi doing in the middle of Spain? That’s absolutely brilliant”.
The video has gained nearly a million views and hundreds in the comments have shared their jokes on the hilarious sighting.
One user said: “Just avoiding the M6 Toll”. Another added: “That’s one expensive Uber ride”.
A third commented: “Wolverhampton cabs actually are everywhere but Wolverhampton”.
The video comes after the BBC reported in January that in the last five years Wolverhampton has tripled the number of private hire vehicles it has licensed, a practice that is legal.
Figures released in 2024, revealed up to 96% of the licences issued by the council between April 2023 and the end of March 2024 were for people living and working outside the city.
Other councils have previously voiced concerns over the licensing practices in Wolverhampton.
The sharp rise in licences from City of Wolverhampton Council has led the government to propose an overhaul of the practice.
The government plans to reform taxi licensing across the country. Currently, 263 different bodies issue licences to drivers, including councils and Transport for London (TfL).
But under the proposals set out by the Department for Transport in January, this would be reduced to 70 local transport authorities (LTAs), which already manage local transport planning.
The DfT said: “This change would simplify the licensing system, improve enforcement and tackle ‘out-of-area’ working, which happens when drivers licensed in one area operate mainly in another, creating safety risks and unfair competition.
“By reducing the number of licensing authorities, the number of boundaries between areas is reduced and licensees would have fewer opportunities to seek out less stringent licensing rules.
“For example, currently in Greater Manchester, there are 10 licensing authorities. However, under the proposals, this would be reduced to just one licensing authority.”
A City of Wolverhampton Council spokesperson said: "Private hire vehicles are required to have their licence plate permanently affixed throughout the period of their licence. These vehicles are lawfully used by drivers for personal use."