Taxi Driver Online

This publicity is quite low profile, unlike the coverage on Taxi Point, PHTM and DM News

So it's hidden away on the North East Derbyshire District Council Facebook page, despite obviously being a huge operation.

And a huge number of different agencies involved. I mean, 19 licensing authorities, DVSA and DVLA, 'insurance fraud specialists' and Uber UK. Eh?

Does that mean I get to go out with Fife Council LOs to inspect me and my own motor?

Maybe not, but certainly can't recall any other operator anywhere being involved in stopchecks in this way, assuming it's as portrayed.

No AI titles here, though




On 24 September 2026, a multi-agency taxi compliance operation was conducted at East Midlands Airport, involving 19 Licensing Authorities alongside partners including DVSA, DVLA, HMRC, Leicestershire Police, Uber UK, East Midlands Airport, and insurance fraud specialists.

Key Results:

• 209 vehicles were stopped and inspected.

• 35 vehicles were found to have defects or compliance issues.

• A total of 45 faults were identified.

Of the 209 vehicles inspected, 35 were found to have defects or compliance issues, resulting in 45 faults being identified.

These included several significant public safety concerns such as defective tyres, dangerous collision damage, inoperative seatbelts, missing wheel nuts, defective lighting, and loose bodywork.

Officers also identified vehicles displaying illegal "ghost" registration plates, along with a range of licensing compliance breaches relating to vehicle identification, driver badges, and required safety equipment. Several vehicles were prohibited from continuing to operate until the defects had been rectified.

I am pleased to report that all vehicles and drivers licensed by North East Derbyshire District Council that were inspected during the operation were found to be fully compliant, reflecting positively on both licence holders and the Council's licensing standards.

The operation proved highly productive, identifying a significant number of safety and compliance issues while providing valuable engagement opportunities between licensing authorities and partner agencies. Vehicles licensed as far away as Wrexham, Cardiff, Hull and Milton Keynes were encountered, highlighting the regional and national nature of airport-based private hire activity.

The event demonstrated the value of joint working in promoting public safety, ensuring regulatory compliance, and sharing intelligence across licensing and enforcement partners.

Other than that, the usual litany of faults, PR and official self-congratulation

Well this is interesting.

Although Wolverhampton isn't specifically mentioned above, the council has released a press release saying that they 'spearheaded' the operation. At East Midlands Airport

But I don't think Wolverhampton usually issues press releases regarding routine spotchecks and the like, so even to that extent it's unusual

And although the post above was from North East Derbyshire District Council, there's no specific mention of them here. But North West Leicestershire District Council also gets a quote below

Anyway, the usual spin, and no mention of the specific results for Wolves-plated vehicles, funnily enough.


Hundreds of private hire vehicles checked in major council led enforcement operation

https://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/news/h ... -operation

More than 200 private hire vehicles were inspected in a single day as City of Wolverhampton Council spearheaded one of the largest taxi licensing enforcement operations of its kind.

The day of action at East Midlands Airport is part of the council’s countrywide enforcement work focused on keeping passengers safe and ensuring licensed vehicles meet required standards.

The operation, on 24 September, saw the council work with 18 other local authorities, East Midlands Airport management team and partner agencies including North West Leicestershire District Council, Leicestershire Police, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Driver Licence and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

In total 209 private hire vehicles and drivers, licensed by Wolverhampton and other authorities, were checked by MOT qualified examiners inspecting tyres, brakes, seatbelt safety, bodywork condition and more.

The DVLA, DVSA and HMRC helped check drivers’ registrations, road tax and any use of red diesel.

A total of 35 vehicles, licensed by a range of authorities, were found to have non compliance issues - 9 of which were temporarily ordered off the road until serious issues are fixed. These included tyres being below the legal tyre tread depth, faulty seatbelts or vehicle damage.

City of Wolverhampton Council uses laser technology to check vehicles meet the legal minimum tyre tread depth of 1.6mm and infrared cameras to identify ghost plates. 3 vehicles were found to be using illegal ghost plates, and the drivers will be issued with Fixed Penalty Notices by police.

Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Cabinet Member for Resident Services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "This is a great example of our council working with others to help ensure the safety of the travelling public. Safety is our highest priority, and our officers carry out regular enforcement activity across the country wherever our licensed drivers are working.

"We continue to support our council colleagues in other areas in delivering compliance operations that help ensure licensed vehicles meet the standards expected of the trade.”

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community and Climate Change at NWLDC, said: “North West Leicestershire District Council was pleased to work with City of Wolverhampton Council and our enforcement partners on this successful operation at East Midlands Airport.

"The day demonstrated the value of joint working in promoting public safety, ensuring compliance with licensing standards and maintaining a level playing field for those drivers and operators who consistently meet the high standards expected of the licensed trade. We would like to thank all agencies involved for their professionalism, commitment and support in delivering such a constructive and effective operation."

More joint, cross border operations like this are expected to take place in the future.

Under law, applicants may apply to any licensing authority for a taxi or private hire licence, and councils cannot refuse an applicant simply because they live in a different area.

Nice one from the BBC, though - they've spun the whole thing with this headline. But I'm not sure it's even technically correct, at least in terms of the press release above - did it actually say Wolves cars had been taken off the road?

And have a read of the BBC's rehash - is the headline here actually consistent with the contents of the article? I mean, does article actually say which councils cars were taken off the road?


Why some Wolverhampton-licensed taxis were taken off the road

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5djvw3lgxlro



And the BBC even seem to have fished out a quote from Steve Wright MBE. I mean, does he have much of a remit in terms of cars checeked at East Midlands Airport?




I suspect the vast majority of traditional operators don't actually have any cars to check. Or, at least, won't be responsible for the vast majority of vehicles working under their banner