DfT steps up work on new Taxi and PHV Act as industry leaders gather to shape national reforms
- Perry Richardson
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Department for Transport (DfT) has held a working group meetings with several key figures from across the taxi and private hire industry as work gathers pace on a new Taxi and Private Hire Act and accompanying national standards.
The meetings brought together a broad range of stakeholders to help shape the updated legislative framework for the sector. Representatives attending included major operators like Bolt, and licensing authorities that included Transport for London (TfL) and Rotherham Council.
Several significant issues were discussed, including national standards, vehicle signage, licensing fees and processing times. The discussions form part of the Government’s ongoing work to develop reforms that are expected to modernise taxi and private hire legislation across England.
Avon and Somerset Police Taxi Cop PC Patrick Quinton also confirmed he had been invited by the Department for Transport to contribute to discussions in London on what the new Act and national standards could include.
PC Quinton said the meeting brought together trade representatives, regulators and other specialists, giving him the opportunity to put forward ideas from a policing perspective.
Among the proposals Quinton raised was the replacement of traditional taxi and private hire licence plates with distinctive vehicle registration plates. He said the concept was discussed during the meeting as a possible alternative to the current rear licence plate system used by licensed vehicles.
Quinton said: “I even managed to talk about my idea of replacing taxi/PH plates with distinctive number plates.” He added that he intends to share the draft legislation with drivers for comment once the proposed Bill and national standards are published, which he hopes will be towards the end of the year.
The idea of distinctive registration plates has been debated within the industry for several years. Supporters argue they could make licensed vehicles easier for the public and enforcement agencies to identify while possibly reducing the need for separate licence plates attached to vehicles. Any such change would require legislative backing and agreement on how a national system would operate alongside existing vehicle registration arrangements.
The latest working group meeting provides another indication that the Government is progressing plans for wide-ranging reform of taxi and private hire legislation. While no draft Bill has yet been published, the discussions suggest work continues on measures affecting licensing consistency, vehicle identification and wider regulatory standards ahead of formal consultation.
