Taxi drivers responsible for whether they are ’fit and well’ to drive amid concerns over fatigue, says Mayor of London

Transport for London (TfL) do offer health and wellbeing support for taxi and private hire drivers, but it’s up to the drivers’ to make sure they are ‘fit and well’ to drive.

The commitments were set out in a written response to a London Assembly question tabled by Reform UK Assembly Member Keith Prince during November’s Mayor’s Question Time session.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said all motorists have a duty under the Highway Code to ensure they are fit to drive, but added that TfL recognises the specific pressures faced by professional drivers working long and irregular hours. Fatigue, stress and the difficulty accessing basic facilities remain recurring issues highlighted by the trade.

TfL distributes regular health and wellbeing guidance through weekly email bulletins, social media channels and its OnRoute magazine. According to the Mayor, this includes practical advice on managing tiredness, maintaining sleep routines and taking breaks. Drivers are also reminded that seeking medical help does not automatically trigger licensing action, a point TfL hopes will reduce reluctance to raise health concerns.

Mayor says Transport for London is expanding guidance, resources and access to facilities as sector raises ongoing health and safety concerns

Fatigue and working hours have been incorporated into both the taxi and private hire versions of the Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding assessment, which all drivers must pass. The Mayor said this is intended to reinforce drivers’ awareness of the risks associated with long shifts and to ensure they understand their regulatory obligations.

Mental health support remains limited to signposting rather than dedicated services. The Mayor said TfL is directing licensees to NHS resources and national wellbeing campaigns such as Every Mind Matters. Engagement forums and information sessions continue to be used to connect drivers with external organisations offering support, although no new sector-specific provision was announced.

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Access to toilets and rest locations continues to be a longstanding operational concern across the trade. TfL advises drivers to use public facilities available across the capital, directing them to information on its website and to the third-party Great British Toilet Map. The Mayor pointed to a £3 million per-year investment programme aimed at increasing the number of toilets on the public transport network over the next five years, although many drivers continue to report gaps in provision in areas with high private hire and taxi activity.

The Mayor said TfL would maintain open communication channels with the trade and continue providing guidance intended to help drivers work safely and with confidence. However, the response did not include new regulatory measures or commitments to improve sector-specific facilities beyond those already announced.

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The Mayor of London replied in full: “All motorists are responsible, as set out in the Highway Code, for ensuring they are fit and well to drive and for knowing what to do if they experience signs of fatigue.

Transport for London (TfL) recognises the important role of taxi and private hire drivers and is committed to supporting their health and wellbeing. Clear communication and guidance is provided to help drivers manage risks associated with fatigue and stress.

“TfL publishes health and wellbeing resources for licensees, offering practical advice on managing fatigue, maintaining healthy sleep patterns, and taking regular breaks. These are communicated regularly via weekly email bulletins, social media and TfL’s quarterly OnRoute magazine. Drivers are also reminded that seeking medical support does not automatically result in licensing action, helping to reduce anxiety around health disclosures.

“Working hours and fatigue are also covered as part of the respective taxi and private hire Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessments, which all drivers must pass. This ensures that drivers understand their responsibilities and the risks associated with tiredness and long working hours.

“Mental health support is promoted through signposting to NHS resources and national campaigns such as Every Mind Matters, which provide tools for managing stress and improving resilience. TfL also uses engagement sessions and forums to share information and connect drivers with specialist organisations offering wellbeing advice.

“Taxi and private hire drivers can access toilets throughout the capital at numerous publicly accessible locations. Details of the nearest public toilet can be found on TfL’s website and via the third-party Great British Toilet Map website. TfL is also delivering new facilities across its public transport network as part of my biggest-ever investment in public transport toilets – £3 million annually over five years.

“There are also taxi rest ranks and refreshment ranks for taxi drivers, many of which are situated in more central, busy areas, where drivers can park and access facilities.

“TfL remains committed to maintaining open channels of communication and providing accessible guidance so that drivers have the information and support needed to work safely and confidently.“