GOVERNMENT OVERHAUL: New national taxi licensing standards and plans to reduce licensing authorities to just 70 regions
- Perry Richardson
- 20 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The Government is preparing to overhaul taxi and private hire vehicle licensing rules by giving the Transport Secretary the authority to impose national minimum standards across England.
The move follows Baroness Casey’s audit into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, published in June, which urged ministers to address inconsistent licensing practices.
The amendment, debated in Parliament on 25 November as part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, would allow ministers to establish uniform requirements for drivers, vehicles and operators. The Department for Transport said the framework would centre on safety and accessibility, aiming to give passengers confidence that licensed vehicles meet the same baseline checks regardless of location.
Current taxi and PHV licensing is managed by 263 local authorities, leading to significant variation in vetting processes, wheelchair-accessible provision and operational oversight. Baroness Casey noted that most licence holders are law-abiding and provide a vital public service, but warned that gaps in the system can be exploited by a small minority. Her report made 12 recommendations, including action to tackle fragmented licensing regimes.
Ministers set out plans for national minimum standards covering all taxi and private hire licensing regimes following recommendations in the Casey audit.
Industry groups, safety campaigners and Baroness Casey herself have welcomed the government’s intention to move quickly following the audit. The plans would formalise a single national benchmark, with consultation expected before the rules are drafted. While the scope of the standards remains under development, officials indicated that safeguarding requirements will sit at the core of the proposals.
Alongside the national standards, ministers are reviewing options to address out of area working, an issue that has long caused concern among operators and licensing teams. The government confirmed that it will shortly consult on reducing the number of authorities responsible for taxi and PHV licensing from 263 to 70. Consolidating oversight is aimed at improving consistency, reducing administrative complexity and supporting enforcement.
If approved, the reforms would represent the most significant change to licensing in over a decade. Operators, local authorities and trade bodies are expected to scrutinise how national rules might interact with existing regional policies, particularly in areas with stricter vetting or accessibility requirements.
Further details on the consultation timetable are expected from the Department for Transport in the coming weeks.
Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander said: “While the vast majority of taxi and private hire vehicle drivers are responsible, passenger safety is our top priority. We are therefore working quickly and decisively to address the concerns around taxi and PHV licensing highlighted in Baroness Casey's report.
“This amendment is a first step and shows the Government is committed to delivering robust national minimum standards so passengers can travel with confidence."
Baroness Casey said: “The vast majority of taxi drivers are law-abiding people who provide a vital service to the public. Yet, for too long, weaknesses in the taxi licensing system have left it open to exploitation by those intent on sexually exploiting children.
“I welcome this announcement as an important first step towards introducing new, rigorous standards that will help protect the most vulnerable.”
Patrick Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer, Addison Lee, said: “Having operated at the heart of London for 50 years, we welcome the Government’s important move to introduce national minimum standards for taxi and PHV licensing. Passengers rightly expect and deserve a reliable service wherever they travel, yet the current system undermines passenger safety and fairness for responsible operators.
“A clear, legal baseline applied across every local authority is essential to establish a consistently high safety standard across the sector and to crack down on unscrupulous operators exploiting the law. We look forward to working closely with the Government to make these reforms a reality.”
Suky Bhaker, CEO of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust said: “The Suzy Lamplugh Trust welcomes the announcement that new legislation would enable the introduction of national minimum standards for taxi and private hire vehicle driver licensing.
“We have campaigned for decades to improve safety checks on drivers and close the current loophole in the law which enables drivers with convictions for violent and sexual offences to be knowingly given a licence.
“The recommendations from the Casey review and the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Task and Finish Group report call for an urgent change in the law to protect passengers from the minority of drivers who wish to harm to passengers.
“Further delay will continue to put passenger safety at risk and we look forward to national minimum standards being introduced in consultation with independent experts at the earliest possible opportunity.”
