Councils rush to rewrite taxi rules as dozens of licensing policies remain years out of date

More than half of taxi and private hire vehicle licensing policies across England and Wales have been updated since the beginning of 2024, according to new Department for Transport figures.

The DfT data show 151 of 290 licensing authority returns, representing 52%, recorded a policy update during 2024, 2025 or 2026. The figures provide an indication of how rapidly councils are revising the local rules governing drivers, vehicles and private hire operators.

Policy activity was highest in 2025, when 67 authorities, or 23%, completed an update. Another 49 policies, representing 17%, were revised in 2024.

A further 35 authorities, or 12%, reported updating their policies during 2026. As the statistics represent the position on 1 April 2026, those changes would have taken place within the opening three months of the year.

The figures cover 290 separate survey returns across England and Wales. This includes 268 English returns and 22 from Wales. Some newly formed unitary authorities supplied separate responses for former district council areas where different licensing policies remained in force.

Policy reviews have accelerated since the DfT published revised Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Best Practice Guidance in November 2023. The document replaced the previous version and introduced updated recommendations covering vehicle standards, emissions, accessibility, driver requirements, licensing administration and enforcement.

The timing suggests the revised national guidance may have contributed to the increase in local reviews, although the statistics do not give the reasons behind individual council decisions. Authorities have also faced pressure to respond to new safeguarding legislation, changing vehicle technology, rising operating costs and concerns over cross-border hiring.

Get FREE WhatsApp news updates here

Despite the recent activity, a substantial number of councils are still working from policies last reviewed several years ago. Forty-four authorities, or 15%, recorded 2022 as their latest update, while 36, or 12%, last made changes in 2023.

Forty-two authorities, representing 14%, said their policy was last updated before 2022. One authority separately recorded 2021, while the date was not recorded or not applicable for 16 returns.

Taken together, 123 authorities, or 42%, reported a last update before 2024. Some of those policies may therefore predate the revised DfT best practice guidance and may not reflect its latest recommendations.

The DfT’s statutory standards state that licensing authorities should review their policies every five years, with interim reviews considered when significant local issues arise. Authorities are also advised to review their performance annually. The standards say it is “vital to review policies and reflect changes in the industry both locally and nationally”.

A policy update can have significant operational consequences for the trade. Reviews can alter vehicle age and emissions rules, testing frequencies, driver training requirements, convictions policies, licence conditions, signage standards and wheelchair-accessible vehicle requirements.

The DfT says licensing requirements must remain proportionate because an unduly stringent regime can restrict service availability by raising operating costs or creating barriers to entering the trade. It also recommends consulting passengers, drivers, operators, disability groups, local businesses and neighbouring authorities where proposed changes could have a significant impact.

The statistics also show that 271 of the 290 returns, or 93%, reported having a dedicated taxi and PHV licensing policy or equivalent document. Nineteen said they did not.