Walsall Council and City of Wolverhampton Council stopped 30 licensed vehicles in Walsall on the evening of 25 September. West Midlands Police and Walsall's community protection officers were with them. The council published the result on 15 October.
Minor faults were found. The council says every one of them was put right that night, and the drivers came back so officers could check the work. No vehicle was suspended. No driver is named, and the council has not said how many of the 30 were hackneys, how many were private hire, or which council licensed them.
Glasses and tint
One driver was reminded to wear the glasses their licence requires. The council has not said the driver was reported or prosecuted.
Police had the window tint taken off one vehicle. They have not said which window, or how dark it was. The usual rule is that a windscreen must let through at least 75 per cent of light, and the front side windows at least 70 per cent.
Driving without the glasses a licence requires is driving otherwise than in accordance with that licence, under section 87 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Compared with March 2025
The council says a similar operation in March 2025 ended with 50 per cent of the vehicles inspected suspended for safety reasons. It has not said how many vehicles that was. This time the figure was none of 30.
Ian Benton, Walsall's portfolio holder for street scene and enforcement, said the improvement was encouraging and that minor issues were put right on the night. He said the checks will continue with neighbouring councils, West Midlands Police and the community protection team.
What Wolverhampton says it looks for
Qaiser Azeem, Wolverhampton's cabinet member for resident services, said his officers check licensed drivers wherever they are working, and will keep helping councils such as Walsall. He said that work also targets illegal ghost plates, and uses a laser to check that tyres meet the 1.6mm minimum tread. The council has not said a ghost plate or a worn tyre was found on 25 September.