Taxi Licensing Enforcement
Case reference FOI2026/00239
Received 29 January 2026
Published 18 February 2026
Request
Herefordshire Council’s taxi licensing policy places strong emphasis on safeguarding & public safety. At the full council meeting in December, I raised concerns regarding the enforcement of taxi driver identification requirements.
While a response was provided, it did not include specific data or evidence demonstrating how compliance is monitored or enforced in practice. In order to understand how the Council assures public safety, can the council please provide:
1. The number of compliance or enforcement checks carried out in the last 12months specifically relating to taxi driver identification.
2. Details of how & how often identification checks are conducted (for example, roadside checks, spot checks, or inspections).
3. The number of warnings, suspensions, or license revocations issued in relation to identification breaches over the same period
Response
Herefordshire Council’s taxi licensing policy places strong emphasis on safeguarding & public safety. At the full council meeting in December, I raised concerns regarding the enforcement of taxi driver identification requirements.
While a response was provided, it did not include specific data or evidence demonstrating how compliance is monitored or enforced in practice. In order to understand how the Council assures public safety, can the council please provide:
1. The number of compliance or enforcement checks carried out in the last 12months specifically relating to taxi driver identification.
Answer: The Service Area have advised driver ID checks specifically, were undertaken by Licensing as part of joint late-night patrols with West Mercia Police on the 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th December 2025. Prior to this on 30th August 2025.
2. Details of how & how often identification checks are conducted (for example, roadside checks, spot checks, or inspections).
Answer: The Service Area have advised the checks mentioned above were all performed at the roadside, ordinarily at taxi ranks, between the hours of 9pm-1am. The council undertakes intelligence‑led inspections, where appropriate, to ensure proportionate, risk‑based enforcement and effective use of resources.
3. The number of warnings, suspensions, or license revocations issued in relation to identification breaches over the same period
Answer: Zero – The Service Area have advised no issues were identified in relation to identification breaches.
Documents
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