UK Government remains ‘committed’ to creating national taxi licensing legislation

Ministers have confirmed that the Department for Transport (DfT) has been implementing several measures to strengthen the taxi licensing conditions across the UK and remains ‘committed’ to creating national taxi licensing legislation.

The Department published Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards back in 2020, in order to enhance the safeguarding standards for the most vulnerable passengers. The recommendations included six-monthly DBS checks, along with safeguarding awareness training for all drivers. The aim of these checks would be to ensure the safety of the passengers, checking that their drivers did not have any criminal offences in the recent past.

The DfT had also consulted on revised Best Practice Guidance, which provided recommendations on issues that were not covered by the Statutory Standards. The final version of this guidance is set to be published in due course.

The Government, according to transport minister Richard Holden MP, is committed to creating national licensing standards for taxis and private hire vehicles, but only when parliamentary time allows.

The latest standards introduced and proposed have largely been welcomed by many industry experts who have long demanded a revision in the licensing conditions.

The conformation follows Julian Knight MP asking the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is taking steps to strengthen taxi licensing conditions.

Richard Holden MP, DfT Minister, replied: “The Department published its Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards in 2020 which focus on safeguarding standards to protect the most vulnerable, but provide benefits for all passengers. The recommendations include six-monthly DBS checks at the highest level and safeguarding awareness training for all drivers. Licensing authorities should implement these high standards unless there is a compelling local reason not to.

“The Department has also consulted on revised Best Practice Guidance which provides recommendations on licensing issues not covered by the Statutory Standards. The final version of the guidance will be published in due course.

“Government remains committed to legislating to create national licensing standards for taxis and private hire vehicles when parliamentary time allows.”