Government fields questions around reviewing licensing structure to curb over-licensing and strengthen taxi safety standards
- Perry Richardson
- 14 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The Department for Transport (DfT) is reviewing how best to prevent over-licensing in the private hire sector while maintaining consistent safety and quality standards across England.
The Government is also preparing a consultation that could see local transport authorities take full control of taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing to achieve greater national consistency.
The information follows questions in Parliament from Andrew Snowden MP, Opposition Assistant Whip, who asked what steps the Government is taking to work with councils to prevent over-licensing and uphold high standards for PHV drivers. Over-licensing has become a growing concern for local authorities and operators, particularly where drivers obtain licences from one council but operate predominantly in another area with differing standards.
Responding to Snowden, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said the Government recognises the need for balance between local control and uniform safety measures. She confirmed that the DfT is “considering all options”, including national licensing standards and stronger enforcement powers to address inconsistencies and cross-border working practices.
Greenwood explained that the Government sets the national regulatory framework within which councils operate, but local authorities currently have the flexibility to determine their own licensing standards. This has led to significant variations between areas, with some councils accused of being more lenient in issuing licences than others.
To tackle these issues, the DfT intends to consult on whether responsibility for taxi and PHV licensing should be transferred to local transport authorities. The aim is to achieve more consistent regulation, better coordination of enforcement, and improved use of resources across wider geographical areas.
Alongside concerns about over-licensing, Snowden also asked what action is being taken to ensure that all drivers meet minimum driving and language proficiency standards. Greenwood said all licensing authorities in England are required to deem applicants “fit and proper” before granting a licence. This includes an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and cross-referencing both the children’s and adults’ Barred Lists.
The DfT’s statutory guidance also recommends that licensing authorities test both oral and written English to ensure drivers understand safeguarding policies, can identify risks to vulnerable passengers, and act appropriately when necessary. Greenwood added that where there are concerns about a driver’s competence or behaviour, licensing authorities should consider ordering practical driving assessments or refresher training to address those concerns.
Greenwood said: “The Government is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which licensing authorities in England administer the taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regime. All applicants for a taxi or private hire vehicle driver’s licence must be deemed fit and proper to hold one. Under this system licensing authorities have the flexibility to set the standards they consider are appropriate. The Department for Transport issues statutory and best practice guidance to assist licensing authorities with this function, to promote safe and accessible services through proportionate regulation.
“As recommended in the statutory guidance, 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 statutory guidance recommends that a licensing authority’s test of a driver’s language proficiency should cover both oral and written English language skills. This is so drivers can understand policies and guidance related to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and can apply them to identify and act on signs of exploitation.
“The best practice guidance recommends that licensing authorities should require taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to undertake training and/or assessment focussed on driver attitudes and behaviours. Where an authority has specific concerns about the driving ability of a driver, for example through passenger complaints, it would be appropriate for the authority to consider whether the driver in question should undertake a practical driving ability training course or assessment to address those concerns.
“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.
“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.”
