Welsh authorities poised to set up a national taxi database

Bridgend councillors have put their weight behind proposals for a national database of taxi drivers and private hire operators.

The database would see local authorities in Wales share information pertaining to drivers details, including whether a driver has had their license suspended or revoked. At the moment local authorities have the responsibility of setting their own licensing standards. This has lead to fears from many quarters that  some drivers are applying for licenses in areas where standards are lower and then operating in areas whose standards they don’t meet.

Further concerns have been raised because enforcement action cannot be taken against those drivers. 

At present there is no legislation which enables a council to take enforcement action against a driver licensed in a different local authority, although the government response to the task and finish group report into taxis and private hire vehicles could see a raft of new legislation being put into place. 

It was reported  in  Wales Online that one councillor stated that private hire drivers convicted of sexual offences were moving between areas and becoming licensed A public consultation is currently taking place on the proposals.