Government leaves safeguarding test pass mark for taxi drivers to local licensing authorities
- Perry Richardson
- 43 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The UK Government has confirmed it has no plans to set a national minimum pass mark for safeguarding tests taken by taxi and private hire vehicle drivers, leaving the decision to local licensing authorities.
In a written parliamentary question, Jerome Mayhew asked whether the Government would introduce a minimum pass threshold for any safeguarding test required for taxi and private hire drivers.
Responding on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT), minister Lilian Greenwood said the department’s existing statutory guidance already recommends safeguarding training for drivers, but the structure and assessment of that training remains a matter for local councils.
Greenwood said: “The Department’s existing statutory guidance recommends that licensing authorities should require taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to undertake safeguarding training. Licensing authorities are responsible for deciding the content and format of such training, including whether it includes a test with a minimum pass mark.”
Minister says councils remain responsible for deciding training content and testing standards for taxi and private hire drivers.
Safeguarding standards for taxi and private hire drivers have been under scrutiny in recent years as policymakers examine how licensing rules operate across England’s fragmented system of more than 300 licensing authorities. While government guidance sets out recommended approaches, individual councils retain discretion over how training is delivered and assessed.
Greenwood also pointed to forthcoming legislation that could strengthen the central government’s ability to set licensing requirements. She said the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently being considered by the House of Lords, would provide powers for the Secretary of State for Transport to establish regulatory requirements that must be met for taxi and private hire licences to be issued and held.
If enacted, the legislation could allow the Government to introduce more consistent national standards across the sector, although details of any future regulations have not yet been set out.
For now, the Government’s position confirms that safeguarding training requirements and any associated testing thresholds will continue to vary between licensing authorities, depending on local policy decisions and enforcement priorities.
Greenwood said: ”The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently being considered by the House of Lords, seeks to provide a power for the Secretary of State to set in regulations requirements that must be met for any taxi or private hire vehicle licence to be issued and held.”
