DfT points to CCTV and licensing powers in response to taxi driver safety concerns
- Perry Richardson
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
The Department for Transport (DfT) has reiterated that tackling physical and verbal abuse against taxi drivers is a priority, pointing to existing licensing powers, CCTV guidance and health and safety obligations in response to a parliamentary question on driver protection.
In a written answer, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said abuse against transport workers is “unacceptable” and confirmed the Department expects licensing authorities in England to consider crime and disorder reduction when carrying out their duties. The question was tabled by James Naish, who asked what steps were being taken to protect taxi drivers from physical and verbal abuse in Nottinghamshire and nationally.
Greenwood said the Department’s best practice guidance to taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities is clear that authorities must consider how the licensing regime can be used to protect drivers. This includes measures aimed at reducing crime and disorder as part of their statutory responsibilities.
The minister also referenced statutory guidance recommending that licensing authorities consult on whether to mandate CCTV in licensed vehicles. According to the Department, in-vehicle CCTV can enhance safety for both drivers and passengers. Authorities are expected to weigh the merits of CCTV with regard to both groups when determining local policy.
Minister says licensing authorities should consider crime reduction duties and consult on mandating in-vehicle CCTV to help protect drivers from abuse
The response highlights that while licensing is devolved to local authorities, national guidance sets expectations around driver protection. The Department’s best practice guidance also includes advice to the trade on steps that can be taken to improve safety and how incidents should be handled when they occur.
In addition to licensing controls, Greenwood pointed to health and safety law. The Best Practice Guidance notes that health and safety duties apply to businesses where relevant to workers in the same way as for employees. Guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive on gig economy, agency and temporary workers outlines what is expected of businesses using such labour, including taxi and private hire operators where applicable.
Businesses subject to those duties are expected to establish effective management arrangements and carry out risk assessments covering workers and others affected by their activities. Any assessment should identify significant risks and set out measures to mitigate them. For operators and fleet owners, this may include reviewing driver reporting systems, lone working policies and vehicle safety equipment.
The Department did not set out any new national measures specific to Nottinghamshire, instead referring to existing guidance and statutory frameworks applicable across England. Responsibility for implementation remains with local licensing authorities and, where relevant, operators subject to health and safety law.
The issue of driver safety continues to be raised by industry representatives amid reports of assaults and abusive incidents linked to fare disputes, late-night working and enforcement tensions. The Department’s position places the onus on local authorities and businesses to use current regulatory tools to address risks within their areas.
Greenwood said: “Physical and verbal abuse against transport workers is unacceptable and something the Department takes very seriously. The Department’s best practice guidance to taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities in England is clear that authorities are required to consider crime and disorder reduction while exercising their duties; this includes ways in which the taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regime can be used to protect drivers. Guidance is also included for the trade on ways they can increase safety and what to do when incidents occur.
“The Department’s statutory guidance recommends that licensing authorities should consult on the mandating of CCTV in vehicles. The Department’s view is that CCTV in vehicles can enhance both drivers’ and passengers’ safety and consideration of the merits of CCTV by licensing authorities must include both aspects.
“The Best Practice Guidance highlights that health and safety law creates duties on businesses where requirements apply to workers in the same way as they do for employees. Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (Health and safety for gig economy, agency and temporary workers - HSE) outlines the different type of workers and what is expected of businesses who use their services. This means business subject to duties should establish effective management arrangements and carry out an assessment of the risks to workers while they are at work, and to other people who may be affected by their work activities. Any assessment should identify the significant risks affecting workers and others, and, importantly, identify measures to reduce those risks.”
