Mayor of London says legislative change needed to address cross-border private hire working that limits local regulatory oversight
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Mayor of London has acknowledged that passengers using private hire booking apps may be matched with drivers licensed outside the capital, limiting Transport for London’s (TfL) ability to regulate or enforce standards.
The comments were made in response to a written question from Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari OBE during Mayor’s Question Time on 26 February 2026. Bokhari asked whether TfL had considered advising passengers to ensure their booking is fulfilled by a London-licensed driver and vehicle if they wish to benefit from TfL’s licensing and safety checks.
The Mayor said current legislation allows private hire vehicles licensed by one authority to operate largely in another area, provided bookings are made through a licensed operator. The practice, known as cross-border hiring, means drivers and vehicles licensed outside London can legally undertake journeys in the capital.
The Mayor noted that while these arrangements comply with existing law, vehicles and drivers working predominantly outside their licensing area may not be subject to the same safety, environmental or operational standards applied locally. This creates challenges for regulators seeking to enforce consistent standards across the industry.
Mayor acknowledges limits of TfL powers over out-of-area private hire vehicles
TfL has previously raised concerns about the issue, publishing a policy paper in 2018 that outlined the regulatory difficulties created by cross-border hiring and proposed potential legislative reforms.
The Mayor said TfL continues to press central government for changes to the law. Most recently the transport authority submitted evidence to the Transport Select Committee’s review into taxi and private hire licensing and standards, again highlighting the need for reform.
Cross-border hiring has become a significant point of debate within the taxi and private hire sector. Industry groups and local licensing authorities have argued that the current framework allows operators to base vehicles in areas with different licensing standards while working predominantly in major cities such as London.
Any change to the current system would require national legislation, meaning responsibility ultimately sits with the UK Government rather than local transport authorities.
The Mayor of London said: “Currently, private hire drivers, vehicles and operators must all be licensed by the same licensing authority, and any private hire bookings must be made through that licensed operator.
“Where these conditions are met, drivers, vehicles and operators licensed in one area can operate predominantly or exclusively in another. This practice is known as cross-border hiring and is permitted under current legislation.
“As referenced in your question, drivers and vehicles predominantly or exclusively working outside their licensed area are not subject to the same safety, environmental or operational standards that are enforced locally.
“Transport for London (TfL) and I have long recognised the significant challenges this poses for the effective regulation and enforcement of private hire services in London and elsewhere. Addressing this issue will require legislative change.
“TfL published a policy paper in 2018 setting out these concerns and putting forward proposals for legislative change.
“TfL continues to raise its concerns with Government about cross-border hiring. Most recently, TfL submitted evidence to the Transport Select Committee’s review on taxi and private hire licensing and standards, reiterating the need for reform.”
