Key Points
- A licensed private hire taxi driver was caught illegally plying for hire outside Old Trafford following a Manchester United match in Manchester.
- The driver, licensed by Wolverhampton Council, was stopped during a joint enforcement operation led by Manchester City Council licensing officers and Greater Manchester Police.
- The incident occurred in the aftermath of a Manchester United home fixture, when thousands of fans were leaving the stadium and demand for transport was high.
- As reported by the Professional Drivers Federation’s trade journal PHTM, enforcement officers observed the driver touting for custom without a prior booking, in breach of private hire regulations.
- According to PHTM News, the driver accepted a fare from undercover officers posing as passengers, who had not pre-booked the journey through an operator.
- The vehicle was identified as a Wolverhampton-licensed private hire car operating in Manchester’s jurisdiction under cross‑border hiring rules.
- Under UK law, private hire drivers must only pick up passengers who have booked in advance through a licensed operator; immediate street pick‑ups are treated as illegal plying for hire.
- The driver was reported for offences including illegally plying for hire and operating without valid hire-and-reward insurance for that journey, because the fare was not legitimately pre-booked.
- Manchester City Council has previously warned that illegal plying for hire undermines public safety and fair competition for compliant taxi and private hire drivers.
- PHTM News reported that council officers stressed the risks to passengers, including the potential for invalid insurance and lack of booking records that trace the journey.
- The driver now faces potential prosecution in magistrates’ court, with possible penalties including a fine, penalty points, costs and a possible impact on his private hire licence.
- The case has reignited debate around cross‑border licensing and Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles working extensively in other cities such as Manchester.
- Taxi trade representatives quoted by PHTM criticised what they view as “unfair competition” from out‑of‑area licence holders and called for stronger, clearer enforcement.
- Manchester City Council has said that multi‑agency operations around football fixtures and major events will continue to target illegal plying and touting.
- Passengers were reminded by Manchester authorities and trade publications to only use properly booked private hire vehicles or licensed hackney carriages from ranks or by hailing.
- The incident follows wider national concerns about touting at large venues, including football stadia, concert arenas and nightlife districts across the UK.
Manchester Council (Manchester Mirror) February 27, 2026 – A Wolverhampton‑licensed private hire taxi driver has been caught red‑handed illegally plying for hire outside Old Trafford following a Manchester United match, after undercover licensing officers say he agreed to pick up passengers without a booking in a targeted post‑match enforcement operation.
How did the taxi driver get caught after the Manchester United match?
As reported by the unnamed correspondent of PHTM News, enforcement officers from Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police staged a joint operation around Old Trafford timed to coincide with fans leaving a Manchester United home game. According to PHTM, officers had received ongoing complaints about touting and illegal plying in the area on busy match days, especially involving out‑of‑town private hire vehicles operating around the stadium.
PHTM News detailed that plain‑clothes officers approached the Wolverhampton‑licensed private hire driver as part of a test purchase. The officers did not make any prior booking through an operator and instead asked the driver directly for a journey, which he allegedly agreed to undertake immediately, thereby meeting the legal definition of illegally plying for hire.
As outlined in PHTM’s coverage, once the driver accepted the fare, officers identified themselves and stopped the vehicle. They checked the licence details displayed in the car, established it was licensed by Wolverhampton Council rather than Manchester, and confirmed that no booking existed with any operator, which they say made the journey unlawful under private hire rules.
What laws govern illegal plying for hire and why does it matter?
Private hire vehicles in England are regulated under taxi and private hire legislation that requires all journeys to be pre‑booked through a licensed operator, unlike hackney carriages which may legally be hailed on the street or pick up at ranks. As guidance from local authorities and legal briefings explains, when a private hire driver accepts a fare directly from the street without a prior booking, they are regarded as plying for hire illegally.
PHTM News reported that because there was no genuine pre‑booked job for the test purchase, enforcement officers considered the driver to be acting as if he were a hackney carriage, which his licence did not permit. In practical terms, such an arrangement may also mean that the car’s hire‑and‑reward insurance is not valid for the journey, potentially leaving passengers unprotected in the event of an accident.
Legal guidance cited by trade outlets stresses that illegal plying for hire undermines the regulated system that is designed to ensure that all journeys can be traced back through an operator, with records of who booked, which vehicle was used and when the journey took place. Without that trail, regulators argue, it becomes harder to address complaints or serious incidents and to hold drivers and operators accountable.
What did Manchester and trade sources say about the enforcement action?
According to PHTM’s report on the operation, Manchester City Council licensing officers emphasised that the enforcement was part of their ongoing strategy to clamp down on illegal plying and touting in busy nightlife and event areas. The article states that officers highlighted match days at Old Trafford as high‑risk periods when demand for taxis surges and some drivers may be tempted to ignore the rules in pursuit of quick fares.
PHTM News described how officials reiterated that properly licensed hackney carriages can be hailed in the street or used from designated ranks, but private hire vehicles must not accept walk‑up trade. Council representatives quoted in trade coverage said that the operation sent a clear message that enforcement teams would continue to monitor hot spots, including football stadia, to protect compliant drivers and passengers.
Taxi trade voices cited in PHTM’s report expressed concern that “rogue” drivers damage the reputation of the broader taxi and private hire sector. They argued that those who follow the regulations and invest in proper licensing and insurance are undercut by drivers who illegally ply for hire, especially at large events where passengers may be less aware of the difference between hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.
Why is a Wolverhampton‑licensed vehicle operating in Manchester controversial?
The PHTM News article noted that the driver involved in this case held a private hire licence from Wolverhampton Council, not Manchester City Council. This reflects wider national trends in which some drivers obtain licences from authorities perceived to have lower fees or different requirements, then work predominantly in other cities under cross‑border hiring rules.
Trade commentators quoted in PHTM argued that the heavy presence of Wolverhampton‑licensed vehicles in cities like Manchester has fuelled tension with locally licensed drivers. They say local drivers feel they are subject to stricter enforcement and higher costs while out‑of‑area licence holders still benefit from the local market, particularly around major venues such as Old Trafford.
According to background material on taxi regulation and trade discussions, cross‑border hiring is legal under current law provided the vehicle, driver and operator are all licensed, but enforcement responsibility can become complicated when multiple authorities are involved. PHTM’s report suggested that such cases may increase pressure on policymakers to review cross‑border rules and clarify how local councils can act when non‑resident drivers break conditions in their areas.
What consequences could the driver face following the Old Trafford incident?
PHTM News reported that the driver was formally reported for alleged offences including illegally plying for hire and driving without valid hire‑and‑reward insurance for the specific journey undertaken without a booking. According to legal guidance on taxi prosecutions, such offences are typically dealt with in the magistrates’ court, where the driver can face fines, possible penalty points and an order to pay costs if convicted.
The PHTM article indicated that the outcome of any prosecution would be considered by the licensing authority, which in this case is Wolverhampton Council, when deciding if the driver remains a “fit and proper person” to hold a private hire licence. Depending on the court’s findings and the council’s policies, potential outcomes can range from a warning to suspension or revocation of the licence.
Council and trade sources cited by PHTM also stressed that such enforcement cases act as a deterrent to other drivers who may be tempted to illegally ply for hire on match days or around other major events. They argued that a visible prosecution helps reassure law‑abiding drivers that action is taken against those who gain an unfair advantage by ignoring the rules.
How are authorities tackling illegal plying for hire at big events in Manchester?
Manchester City Council’s public statements on licensing enforcement have previously highlighted targeted operations at known hot spots, including the city centre, concert venues, and sports grounds such as Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium. These operations often involve joint working between council licensing officers, Greater Manchester Police and sometimes neighbouring authorities when out‑of‑area licence holders are frequently seen.
Trade and council guidance cited by PHTM underscores several key elements of these enforcement campaigns: test purchases using undercover officers, roadside checks of driver and vehicle licences, and verification of bookings with operators. Officials say that these tactics help identify drivers who are touting or illegally plying for hire and support prosecutions with robust evidence.
Manchester’s wider licensing strategy, as reflected in published council documents and trade coverage, also includes public awareness campaigns. Passengers are urged to ensure that any private hire journey is pre‑booked, to check vehicle plates and driver badges, and to use designated ranks or clearly marked hackney carriages when hailing.
What does this mean for match‑going fans and legitimate drivers?
PHTM’s coverage of the Old Trafford incident emphasised that fans leaving major matches should take extra care when choosing transport, as crowded environments and high demand can make it easier for illegal operators to blend in. The article encouraged supporters to either use official taxi ranks, hail clearly identified hackney carriages, or book private hire vehicles via recognised operators or apps before getting into a car.
For legitimate drivers, both hackney and private hire, the case has been presented in trade media as evidence that sustained enforcement is necessary to protect their livelihoods. Representatives quoted by PHTM argued that continued joint operations and prosecutions are vital to preserving a level playing field, especially at large sporting events that generate significant income for compliant drivers.
Licensing bodies and trade sources pointed out that fans who use properly licensed and booked services not only protect themselves but also support drivers who operate within the law. The Old Trafford operation was portrayed as part of a broader push to ensure that Manchester’s transport network around major fixtures remains safe, regulated and fair for both passengers and drivers.
