BANKING CASH TO CCTV: What does the Department for Transport recommend taxi drivers do to stay safe while working?
- Perry Richardson
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Taxi drivers are handed guidance from the Government around personal safety measures designed to reduce risks faced by those working alone and often late at night.
The Department for Transport (DfT) guidance, titled Staying Safe: Guidance for Taxi Drivers, was last published in November 2023. It offers practical steps to help drivers handle threats, assaults, and fare disputes, as well as advice on hate crime reporting and vehicle safety improvements.
The DfT notes that drivers are “dealing with strangers, often in isolated places and carrying cash”, which can leave them particularly vulnerable to violence. Many incidents occur during night-time shifts when passengers may be intoxicated, increasing the risk of confrontation.
Addressing hate crime in the trade
A key focus of the updated guidance is hate crime, defined as offences motivated by hostility towards a person’s race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or transgender identity. The DfT urges any driver who experiences hate crime to report incidents to their local licensing authority and the police.
Reporting options include contacting the police via 101 or 999, using the online portal at report-it.org.uk, or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously. The guidance highlights that hate crimes “target an individual’s core identity” and can have a “particularly harmful impact” on victims.
Drivers are encouraged to seek help from specialist organisations that provide emotional and practical support to victims. The guidance also provides links to government resources and third-sector support groups.
Cash management and in-vehicle protection
To reduce the risk of theft, the DfT advises drivers to drop off cash regularly during shifts or keep it hidden in a secure container. The department also highlights the importance of physical barriers within vehicles.
Purpose-built taxis are already equipped with driver partitions, but the DfT advises those using standard vehicles to consider fitting safety screens made from materials capable of withstanding a physical attack. Any modification, it warns, must comply with Regulation 100 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, which requires vehicles to remain safe for all occupants and other road users.
CCTV is strongly recommended by the DfT, with evidence showing significant reductions in threats and violence following installation. A Sheffield Taxi Safety Camera Pilot Study reported incidents dropped from one in seven fares to fewer than one in one hundred after cameras were fitted. The DfT reminds drivers that any system must meet their licensing authority’s data protection and technical standards, with clear signage required inside the vehicle.
The fitting of a convex mirror is also suggested to help drivers maintain visibility of passengers seated behind them.
Equipment and communication advice
Drivers are advised to carry essentials that can assist in emergencies, including a spare key, a mobile phone with emergency details accessible, and a notepad to record incidents. Keeping an explanation of the fare structure in the vehicle can help reduce disputes, one of the most common triggers of aggression.
For those linked to a control centre, the DfT recommends regularly updating controllers on pick-up and destination details. Having a pre-agreed code word for emergency situations allows drivers to discreetly alert dispatchers if they feel threatened. Some control centres use GPS tracking and silent alarms to monitor driver safety in real time.
Preventing and managing risk
The DfT reiterates that night work carries the greatest safety risk, particularly where alcohol is involved. Drivers are urged to stay alert and well-rested, to trust their instincts when refusing a fare, and to control access to the front seat in saloon vehicles.
Clear communication is considered one of the most effective deterrents to aggression. Drivers are encouraged to be polite, make eye contact, explain routes, and discuss fares before starting longer journeys. Doing so not only reduces misunderstandings but also signals awareness and professionalism.
If drivers feel threatened or attacked
In situations where a driver feels unsafe, the advice is to remain calm, avoid escalating the situation, and, if possible, drive to a well-lit and busy area covered by CCTV. If a CCTV system is fitted, reminding passengers of its presence can de-escalate tensions.
If violence occurs, the DfT stresses that drivers should not retaliate but instead use the vehicle’s horn and lights to draw attention and contact the police or control centre immediately. Gathering details such as a passenger’s clothing or accent can assist police investigations.
Reporting and post-incident steps
All violent incidents should be reported to the police, even if they seem minor. The DfT notes that courts treat assaults on those providing public services as aggravated offences, leading to tougher sentences. Crimes motivated by hate or prejudice are treated as even more serious.
Drivers are reminded that “bilking” or making off without paying is a criminal offence under section 3 of the Theft Act 1978. Incidents should be reported and supported with a statement where possible. Drivers may also recover repair costs through the small claims system.
The full guidance, Staying Safe: Guidance for Taxi Drivers, is available on the Government website.
