Mayor of London runs through child safety standards set in London for private hire vehicle services
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
The Mayor of London explained a series of current practices and future measures put in place to improve child safety across the capital’s private hire industry following the damning Casey Report release.
In response to a question raised by Andrew Boff of the City Hall Conservatives at the Mayor’s Question Time session on 11 July, Transport for London (TfL) set out its ongoing work to improve safeguarding and professional standards among private hire drivers transporting children.
One of the key tools now in place is TfL’s Safeguarding Awareness training. Delivered online, the training is designed to help both drivers and private hire operator staff identify and respond to possible signs of abuse or exploitation. This sits alongside the mandatory Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment, which every new and renewing private hire driver must now complete.
The SERU assessment includes questions on safeguarding responsibilities, equality law and the rules set by TfL. Drivers are expected to study the Private Hire Driver’s Handbook before taking the test, which provides legal guidance on how to support vulnerable passengers.
These changes are part of the Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan 2025, which sets out TfL’s wider approach to increasing safety in the industry. The plan supports improved training, better support for disabled passengers and efforts to ensure safer journeys across London.
TfL is also continuing its push for national reform. The action plan repeats calls for the Government to address cross-border hiring, a practice that allows drivers licensed in other parts of the country to work in London without being subject to local safety rules.
The transport authority regularly works with enforcement partners including the Metropolitan Police Service, sharing information with the trade on wider safeguarding operations such as County Lines Intensification Week. These efforts are backed by routine engagement with the industry through briefings and weekly updates.
The Mayor also welcomed the findings of the Casey Review into group-based child sexual exploitation, which identified licensing weaknesses as one of the factors in past failures to protect children. TfL said it supports Government plans to tighten laws and close existing gaps in regulation.
Sadiq Khan said: “Transport for London (TfL) has introduced a range of measures to strengthen safeguarding, driver education and regulation in the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sectors. These initiatives aim to raise professional standards and ensure drivers are equipped to protect vulnerable passengers, including children.
“TfL’s online Safeguarding Awareness training plays an important role in helping drivers and PHV operator staff recognise and respond to signs of abuse or exploitation. It complements more formal requirements such as the mandatory Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment.
“The SERU assessment, required for all new and renewing PHV drivers, tests knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities, equality law, and the regulatory requirements set by TfL. To prepare, drivers are expected to study the PHV Driver’s Handbook, which provides clear guidance on their legal duties and how to protect vulnerable passengers.
“The Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan 2025 sets out a strategic programme that builds on existing measures to continually strengthen safety. It supports TfL’s broader commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults through actions such as strengthening driver training, enhancing support for disabled passengers, and improving the overall safety of journeys. These efforts help ensure that all passengers – especially those at greater risk – can travel safely and with confidence.
“The Plan also sets out TfL’s legislative asks, including repeating its call on Government to address the issue of cross-border hiring, to ensure that all operators providing services in London are subject to the same safety and security checks as local operators.
“In addition to these measures, TfL regularly shares information on wider safeguarding initiatives with the industry. For example, it has worked with the Metropolitan Police Service on operations such as County Lines Intensification Week, with updates and guidance shared through regular meetings with taxi and private hire representatives and communicated through TfL’s weekly email updates to licensees and via posts on social media, helping to keep the trade informed and engaged in safeguarding efforts.
“I also welcome the findings of the Casey Review into group-based child sexual exploitation, which exposed harrowing failures in protecting vulnerable children and highlighted the urgent need for reform. TfL and I support the Government’s commitment to closing loopholes in taxi and private hire licensing laws, which were identified as a contributing factor in past exploitation cases.”
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