DfT minister talks of plans to legislate on taxi licensing loopholes and consultation around local enforcement
- Perry Richardson
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed it will legislate to address inconsistencies in taxi and private hire licensing, following growing concern over out-of-area working and varying safety standards.
In a written answer to questions from Richard Holden, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said that all licensing authorities in England already require enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, including checks against the children’s and adults’ barred lists.
However, she acknowledged that gaps remain in the regime, particularly around drivers obtaining licences in one authority while predominantly operating elsewhere. Greenwood said the Department is considering options such as national standards, tighter enforcement measures and restrictions on cross-border working, with passenger safety the priority.
The DfT is also reviewing how licensing authorities comply with existing statutory guidance, especially on protecting children and vulnerable adults, with a view to strengthening safeguards.
Currently, local licensing authorities can enter into joint agreements allowing officers to enforce against drivers licensed by another council. These arrangements can already permit compliance checks and the suspension of licences in the interests of public safety, regardless of where the licence was issued.
The minister revealed a public consultation is due to launch shortly on proposals to make all local transport authorities responsible for taxi and private hire licensing. The Government believes such a move would create greater consistency and allow better use of enforcement powers across the country.
Minister Greenwood said: “All taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities in England have advised the Department that for drivers they require the highest level of vetting available, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and a check of both the children’s and adults’ Barred Lists.
“The Department for Transport will legislate to tackle inconsistent standards of taxi and private hire vehicle driver licensing more broadly. We are considering all options including out of area working, national standards and enforcement – seeking the best overall outcomes for passenger safety. In the interim the Department is reviewing licensing authorities’ compliance with existing guidance and determining how the statutory guidance on protecting children and vulnerable adults can be strengthened to further protect the public.
“Licensing authorities can already jointly authorise officers from other authorities so that compliance and enforcement action can be taken against licensees from outside their area. Such an agreement would set out the range of powers available, but these could include the ability to undertake compliance checks and immediately suspend a driver’s licence in the interests of public safety. This enables the use of the agreed powers regardless of which authority within the agreement the officer is employed by and which issued the licence.
“A consultation on making all local transport authorities responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, which would increase consistency in licensing and make better use of enforcement powers, will be launched shortly.”
