Disabled-led group calls for national taxi licensing standards to end accessibility ‘postcode lottery’

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Transport for All has renewed its call for a national taxi and private hire licensing framework that ensures consistent access and enforcement across England.

The disabled-led organisation argues that the current localised system leaves disabled passengers facing “postcode lotteries” in service quality, training and vehicle availability. Its submission to MPs reviewing taxi licensing policy sets out how gaps in the law continue to disadvantage passengers who rely most on accessible transport.

At the centre of Transport for All’s argument is cross-border working, a practice that allows drivers licensed in one local authority to operate freely in another. The organisation says the system encourages drivers to base themselves in areas with lighter licensing requirements, undermining councils that invest in higher safety and accessibility standards. In practice, a driver can complete a journey entirely in one area while holding a licence from another authority hundreds of miles away. Enforcement responsibilities fall on the destination council, yet the licensing fees that fund those checks go to the issuing authority.

Transport for All says this imbalance leaves councils with tighter local standards under pressure, while passengers have no clear route for raising complaints. Local authorities cannot revoke a licence issued elsewhere, even when evidence shows repeated breaches of equality or safety obligations. The group is calling for a single national framework that would apply minimum standards for all drivers and operators, regardless of where they are licensed.

The cross-border issue was also said to have a direct consequence for accessibility. Some councils have taken steps to improve driver training or increase the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) in their fleets. But when drivers can bypass those rules by working under a different badge, local progress becomes fragmented. Transport for All says disabled passengers in one town might benefit from properly trained drivers and well-maintained accessible vehicles, while a few miles away another council’s residents experience refusals and poor vehicle choice.

Accessibility failures remain widespread. Transport for All’s latest research found that more than a quarter of disabled passengers have experienced an access refusal when trying to book or hail a taxi. Others reported being charged extra because they use a wheelchair or need assistance. Such behaviour breaches equality law, yet reports often go uninvestigated. The group says many councils do not collect or publish data on accessibility complaints and few have systems to identify repeat offenders.

The organisation wants all licensing authorities to be required to gather and publish annual data on access-related incidents and to use the national NR3S register to share details of drivers or operators found to discriminate against disabled passengers. This, it argues, would ensure that offenders cannot simply move elsewhere to continue working unchecked.

Driver training is another area of concern. While around two thirds of councils now require some form of disability awareness or equality training, the content and duration of those courses differ significantly. Some cover only basic awareness, while others include hands-on practical training with wheelchair users and visually impaired passengers. Very few require drivers to complete refresher courses.

Transport for All wants mandatory, nationally designed Disability Equality Training for every taxi and private hire driver, developed and delivered by disabled people themselves. The group says consistency is key to ensuring that all drivers understand how to assist passengers with different impairments, operate accessibility features safely, and comply with legal duties under the Equality Act.

Vehicle access continues to be a major barrier. Official figures show that just 11.5% of all licensed vehicles in England were wheelchair accessible in 2024, down from 13% the previous year. The figure hides a sharp divide between taxis and private hire vehicles: 53.9% of hackney carriages are accessible, compared with only 2.2% of private hire vehicles.

Many disabled passengers rely on WAVs for hospital visits, employment, and social activities. A lack of suitable vehicles can lead to missed appointments or complete isolation from community life. Transport for All says the Government should set minimum accessibility requirements across both sectors and provide funding support for operators to upgrade or replace vehicles.

The group also highlights how digital booking platforms, while offering convenience for many, can create new barriers. App-only systems exclude people without smartphones or reliable data connections, while poor design can prevent blind users from booking a trip at all. There are also reports of drivers cancelling rides once they discover a passenger has mobility equipment or a guide dog.

Transport for All wants to see strict accessibility standards applied to ride-hailing platforms, including screen-reader compatible apps, staffed telephone booking options, and clear reporting mechanisms for discriminatory cancellations. Operators should also be required to maintain a proportion of accessible vehicles within their fleets and publish data on WAV availability.

Looking ahead, Transport for All warns that the transition to autonomous vehicles presents both opportunities and risks. Removing drivers could, in theory, eliminate direct discrimination, but human drivers currently provide vital assistance, from securing wheelchairs to helping passengers with sensory impairments navigate safely. Without equivalent support mechanisms, disabled passengers could face even greater challenges. The organisation is urging policymakers to embed accessibility into autonomous vehicle design from the outset, including mandatory WAV options, assistance protocols and accessibility checks before commercial rollout.

The organisation sums up their Transport Select Committee evidence by highlighting that disabled people continue to face uncertainty when trying to book or hail a taxi. Where they live determines the level of service they can expect. A national, enforceable licensing framework covering accessibility, training, vehicle standards and enforcement would, it says, remove this postcode lottery and create a safer, more reliable system for everyone who depends on taxis and private hire vehicles.