Changes to taxi rules could indirectly lead to lower safety standards
14/08/2025
Cherwell risks making their system too onerous, leading to some drivers using the “Wolverhampton” loophole
Concerns have been expressed that changes to taxi rules being proposed by Cherwell District Council could lead to taxi users unknowingly travelling in vehicles operating to lower safety standards, licenced from outside the area.
The council is proposing tightening up the rules for both private hire and Hackney carriage operators, but these more onerous standards could lead some drivers to utilise a loophole whereby they can apply for a licence from the City of Wolverhampton. The rules they apply for drivers are less prescriptive and applying for a licence is cheaper.
Unlike Cherwell’s licences, which are only valid in the district, City of Wolverhampton licences are valid across the country. Banbury FM has been told there are already a number of taxis operating with City of Wolverhampton plates in the Banbury area.
Steve Garelick from the GMB Union represents a number of Banbury’s taxi drivers. He said: “One of the biggest concerns for private hire and taxi across the country is the proliferation of Wolverhampton drivers coming in – licensing being given to drivers for cheaper money without possibly the same restrictions that exist for Cherwell-based drivers.
“For taxi drivers, there’s a huge problem where Wolverhampton-plated vehicles are parking up on ranks which stop them from working, as an example.
“When you’ve got drivers and operators who can work cheaper because they get a cheaper licence and aren’t subject to the same restrictions, this definitely has an effect on the protections for the locality including the residents.”
Cherwell’s proposed new taxi policy includes a push towards electric or hydrogen vehicles – especially for wheelchair-accessible taxis, a requirement for formally documented daily safety checks, and mandatory annual checks at the council’s own Thorpe Lane Depot, with concerns over whether enough capacity is available.
Other changes include a more stringent safeguarding regime and localised penalty points scheme.
All of these rules would only be enforceable on taxis operating with Cherwell plates.
In the face of far more prescriptive rules and a higher registration fee there is a fear we may instead see a proliferation of City of Wolverhampton vehicles operating in our area.
Steve Garelick said: “You’re not going to get the same consistency in terms of licensing provisions. Ultimately, when you’re complaining at the level of Cherwell when you have an issue, you know you’re going to be speaking to somebody local who understands the situation.
“If you’re putting in a complaint about a service you’ve received from a Wolverhampton based licensed driver, that’s going to be a bigger issue to contend with, because you’re going to be dealing with an authority who actually aren’t exactly on the doorstep.”
In response a spokesperson for Cherwell District Council told Banbury FM: “The new taxi licensing policy draft has been agreed by the licensing committee, that committee agreement allowed the council to conduct a full consultation which ended on 11/08/2025.
“Following the consultation the council will consider all representations submitted within it.
“The draft policy will then be subject to further committee scrutiny before any final decisions are made.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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