NPHTA details urgent action needed to fix cross-border licensing and local enforcement failures in evidence submission
- Perry Richardson
- Sep 27
- 2 min read
The National Private Hire and Taxi Association (NPHTA) has submitted detailed evidence calling for major reform of taxi and private hire licensing across England. The organisation, a recognised stakeholder and member of the Institute of Licensing, claims current systems are failing both passengers and drivers.
According to the submission, inconsistent standards between councils are creating confusion, encouraging licence shopping and leaving safety and enforcement gaps. While each authority sets its own conditions, the NPHTA says many are failing to enforce basic legal requirements like insurance checks, vehicle safety, and driver identification.
A key issue highlighted is the problem of “out-of-town” drivers operating far from the area that licensed them. Local authorities often refuse to enforce against these drivers due to cost concerns, meaning many operate with little or no oversight. NPHTA suggests either invoicing the original licensing council or introducing a national fund to support cross-border enforcement.
The group is also calling for the expansion of ‘intended use policies’, originally applied to hackney carriages, to all private hire licences. These policies would require most work to take place in the area that issued the licence, cutting down on drivers licensing in areas with lighter conditions but working elsewhere full-time.
NPHTA supports a degree of national standardisation, particularly to improve public understanding and reduce the incentive to seek out authorities with the weakest rules. However, they warn that a one-size-fits-all approach could harm rural services by imposing city-based requirements that are costly and unnecessary in quieter areas.
The association is sceptical of adding more stringent conditions to existing driver or vehicle standards, stating that the current sector is already heavily regulated. Instead, it argues for stronger enforcement of existing laws, including the triple lock rule, which requires a driver, vehicle and operator to be licensed by the same authority.
Digital ride-hailing platforms are also under scrutiny. NPHTA claims some app-based operators are breaching rules by allowing drivers from outside areas to pick up bookings without proper legal subcontracting. The group suggests introducing geo-fencing to limit where drivers can accept work, helping to maintain licensing integrity.
Concerns have also been raised over the lack of support for drivers facing abuse or false complaints. NPHTA says while passenger complaints are taken seriously and acted upon, driver reports are often ignored by operators, councils and the police.
The submission praises the NR3 database, which helps councils share information on licence refusals, suspensions and revocations. However, it suggests wider reform is needed to strengthen public safety and restore confidence in the sector.
NPHTA is urging the Government to introduce national policy changes that allow better enforcement, protect local services, and ensure consistent application of rules.
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