Uber’s UK General Manager highlights need for clarity around CCTV rules as example for national taxi licensing reform
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Uber’s UK General Manager has said some taxi and private hire drivers are struggling with inconsistent CCTV rules, as he highlighted where improvements could be made in a national licensing standards review across England.
In an exclusive interview with TaxiPoint, Andrew Brem said drivers frequently report confusion around what is permitted or required when installing in-vehicle CCTV systems. He argued that clearer and consistent guidance would be a significant step forward for both drivers and passengers.
“CCTV is a great example of where there’s a chance to make real headway,” Brem said. “At the moment drivers say the rules around CCTV in their vehicles are far too confusing, so clarity would be very welcome.”
CCTV requirements currently vary between licensing authorities, with some councils mandating installation and others leaving the decision to operators or drivers. Differences in data handling rules, access protocols and signage requirements have created operational complexity, particularly for drivers working across authority boundaries.
Andrew Brem says drivers face confusion over in-vehicle CCTV requirements and backs consistent national enforcement framework
Brem said he supports mandatory national standards for licensing, describing reform as the “single most important change” needed in how the sector is regulated. He added that passengers expect safety standards to be uniform regardless of location, and that national alignment would reflect those expectations.
“I’m very supportive of mandatory national standards for licensing,” he said. “The public expects safety standards to be the same, no matter where they are in the country, and this feels like a big step forward.”
While describing the sector as generally well regulated, Brem identified several areas where greater consistency could deliver improvements. These include standardising driver background checks, the management of safety complaints and the use of CCTV. He also called for the standards to be supported by stronger national enforcement mechanisms.
“All these standards also need to be underpinned by proper national enforcement and a national database that has clarity on licensees, revocations and refusals,” Brem added.
The debate around national standards has intensified in recent years amid concerns over cross-border licensing and uneven regulatory practices. Industry stakeholders have argued that fragmented rules create compliance burdens for operators and drivers, while also complicating enforcement activity for local authorities.
The Department for Transport has previously issued statutory standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, but these are not mandatory nationwide. Brem’s comments signal continued debate from major operators for a fully standardised regime with consistent enforcement across all licensing authorities.
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