TfL set for new taxi licensing policies covering ‘safeguarding, equality and regulatory obligations’

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The Mayor of London has confirmed new taxi and private hire licensing polices covering ‘safeguarding, equality and regulatory obligations’ will arrive later this year and that industry advanced driving tests and private hire vehicle insurance polices remain under consideration.

The Mayor told City Hall that once Transport for London (TfL) has implemented new taxi and private hire Statutory Standards set by the Government and the industry recovers from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, further consideration will then be given on an advanced driving test and private hire vehicle insurance policies.

TfL will also be introducing assessment modules covering ‘safeguarding, equality and regulatory obligations’ confirmed the Mayor. The new modules are set to change TfL’s assessment on an applicant’s ability to meet the already implemented English Language Requirement.

Keith Prince, a Conservative London Assembly Member, asked the Mayor whether he was still committed to his 2016 Taxi & Private Hire action plan. Prince also asked which of the yet to be completed proposals he intends to implement this year.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “Yes, I am. I set out in my response to (a previous) Mayor’s Question, the majority of commitments in my Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan have been delivered.

“Of the 39 commitments I made to the taxi and private hire trades, 29 have been completed, two have been superseded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Statutory Standards and a further five require legislative change which I continue to seek from Government when the opportunity arises.

“Of the remaining three commitments: one will be delivered later this year and two (advanced driving test and private vehicle hire insurance) have been placed on hold as Transport for London (TfL) prioritises the introduction of the DfT Statutory Standards and provides further time for the trade to recover from the significant impact of the pandemic.

“The commitment being delivered later this year is additional training and assessment for applicants. TfL will be introducing assessment modules covering safeguarding, equality and regulatory obligations. These new modules will also bring about changes in the way TfL assesses an applicant’s ability to meet the already implemented English Language Requirement.

“Once TfL has fully implemented the DfT Statutory Standards, and the trade is on the road to recovery following the pandemic, it will give further consideration to the appropriateness of an advanced driving test and private hire vehicle insurance.”