Addison Lee backs taxi and PHV licensing overhaul, but warns tougher enforcement still needed
- Perry Richardson
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
Addison Lee has welcomed the Government’s proposal to consolidate taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, while warning that further measures will be required to ensure effective enforcement against non-compliant operators.
Patrick Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer at Addison Lee, said passengers “rightly expect and deserve a safe and reliable service wherever they travel”, adding that plans to streamline the number of licensing bodies represented a positive move towards raising standards and addressing widespread out-of-area working.
However, he cautioned that structural reform alone would not resolve long-standing enforcement challenges. “Further measures will be needed to ensure effective enforcement against rogue operators without disadvantaging responsible businesses or reducing passenger access,” Gallagher said. Addison Lee said it intends to remain engaged with ministers as the proposals develop.
The comments follow the launch of a public consultation by the Department for Transport on sweeping changes to the taxi and private hire licensing system in England. The reforms are aimed at reducing cross-border working and strengthening passenger safety, with a particular focus on protecting women and girls.
COO Patrick Gallagher says consolidation is a step forward but cautions reforms must not penalise compliant operators or restrict passenger access
Under the proposals, responsibility for issuing taxi and PHV licences would be consolidated from 263 individual councils to around 70 local transport authorities. These bodies already manage wider transport planning and would assume licensing functions under a new regional model.
Ministers argue that the current patchwork of local authorities has undermined enforcement and encouraged regulatory arbitrage, with drivers licensing in areas perceived to have lower fees or less stringent checks while operating elsewhere. Officials believe that reducing the number of licensing authorities would significantly cut the number of administrative boundaries that enable such practices.
The Department for Transport highlighted Greater Manchester as an example of how the system could change in practice. The region currently has 10 separate licensing authorities, which would be replaced by a single body responsible for the entire area under the new framework.
Industry reaction has been mixed, with larger operators broadly supportive of consolidation but seeking clarity on how enforcement will be resourced and applied consistently. Smaller operators and drivers have raised concerns about potential cost increases and the loss of local discretion, issues the consultation is expected to explore.
