Faded crop-tops, smelly flip-flops and caps could now land Welsh taxi drivers in licensing trouble

Crop-tops, flip-flops and baseball caps could land taxi and private hire drivers in trouble, along with smelly and faded clothing, according to new Welsh Government guidance released yesterday.

The driver’s dress code guide was announced as part of the Welsh Government’s launch of the ‘Guide to Harmonisation of Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing in Wales’.

The guide is seen as the first steps made by the Government to find solutions to some of the industry’s problems, with this guide providing a number of ‘quick fixes’.

In the new dress code guidance the Government has listed several fashion faux pas which could force licensing action on the cab driver.

Flip-flops, vests, crop-tops and baseball caps have all been listed as examples of clothing that could land drivers in hot water. Cabbies wearing old faded or smelly clothing could also push Welsh authorities to hand out warnings to drivers.

The Welsh Government believes the new code will ensure that the hackney carriage and private hire trade portrays a professional image and ensures that journeys are carried out safely.

The following dress code applies:

1. All clothing must be clean, in good conditions and free from damage

2. Shorts and skirts must be no shorter than knee length

3. Footwear must fit around the heel of the foot

4. Hoods should not be worn over the head whilst driving.

Examples listed in the guidance as acceptable clothing include:

• Trousers/smart jeans

• Shirt

• Smart t-shirt

• Smart shorts

• Polo shirts

• Jumpers.

Unacceptable standards of dress include:

• Clothing bearing slogans or graphics that are of an offensive/suggestive nature

• Clothing that is dirty, smelly, faded or damaged

• Footwear such as flip flops or sliders that do not have heel straps

• Pronounced heels

• Baseball caps or other headwear that obscures the face

• Clothing that leaves the shoulders and top of the arms uncovered such as vest tops

• Clothing that does not cover the chest, stomach/midriff such as low cut tops or crop tops.

According to the Welsh Government the examples listed above are not exhaustive, and there may be other standards of dress that are deemed not acceptable by authorised officers of the licensing authority.

Failure to comply with the dress code may result in a written warning. Persistent failures to comply on more than two occasions within 12 months may result in a referral to the licensing committee for determination of any additional action.