TAXI CROSS BORDER RULES: Government ‘looking at options to improve the current regulatory position’ says minister

The issue of cross-border hiring continues to stir debate within the UK taxi industry, with calls for regulatory reform growing louder.

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon, representing Harrogate and Knaresborough, recently raised the matter in Parliament. He questioned the Secretary of State for Transport on how the Government plans to address the problem of taxis licensed in one authority operating in the jurisdiction of another.

In response, Simon Lightwood MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Transport, acknowledged the concerns. He confirmed that both he and the Secretary of State are reviewing the current legislative and regulatory framework and are considering options to strengthen the rules.

Lightwood MP said: “The Secretary of State and I are aware of the concerns about the current legislative and regulatory framework for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, and are looking at options to improve the current regulatory position.”

At the heart of the controversy is the practice of taxis and private hire vehicles licensed in one area working in another. Critics argue that this loophole undermines local licensing standards, potentially compromising passenger safety and damaging the reputation of local operators. Drivers licensed in less regulated areas can operate in regions with stricter controls, which raises questions about the effectiveness of local councils’ powers to enforce their own standards.

The current rules allow drivers to pick up passengers across borders, but the growing practice has led to increased pressure on the Government to reassess the system. Many industry stakeholders and local authorities are pushing for changes to ensure a more consistent, accountable approach to taxi licensing across the country.

The Department for Transport’s review signals that changes may be on the horizon, although no specific reforms have yet been outlined.