Welsh Government recommits to taxi and private hire licensing reform during current Senedd term
- Perry Richardson
- May 6
- 2 min read
The Welsh Government has reaffirmed its commitment to introducing licensing reform for the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector, with a draft Bill expected to be published during the current Senedd term.
Julie James MS, Counsel General and Welsh Minister for Delivery, provided the update during an oral statement in the Senedd on 29 April 2025. The statement, which covered the Government’s wider Legislative Programme, included confirmation that taxi and PHV reform remains on the agenda despite delays.
James explained that although work on the legislation was well underway, time pressures had prevented the Government from completing the process of scrutiny needed to move the Bill forward.
“There are a number of other areas where we remain committed to developing legislation in the future,” she told Members. “This includes reform of taxi and private hire vehicles, to modernise the sector and address the problems of cross-bordering.”
She added: “We just couldn’t do it in the last year; there just wasn’t the time. And that is actually the same for the taxi Bill as well, so we will get the draft Bill ready, but we just ran out of time in terms of getting it through the scrutiny processes.”
James also suggested that leaving the draft Bill for the incoming government to take forward could have some advantages. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have some things on the stocks for the seventh Senedd that are not controversial, ready to go. The new Government will have something to cut its teeth on and we’ll start in good stead.”
The Government’s reform plans were first outlined in its 2023 white paper, Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (Wales) Bill. The proposals aimed to update legislation to better reflect the needs of a modern Wales.
Key goals included improving passenger and driver safety, enhancing accessibility, supporting environmental targets and addressing inconsistencies caused by drivers working across local authority boundaries.
The issue of cross-bordering has become a persistent concern for both licensing authorities and drivers. It allows drivers licensed in one area to operate freely in another, often creating enforcement and safety challenges. The Welsh Government has said it wants to see a more unified system that allows consistent standards across the country.
Ministers have confirmed that engagement with stakeholders will continue as the draft Bill is prepared for the next phase. The intention is to deliver legislation that works for passengers, drivers and operators alike.
The full details of the new Bill are expected later in the term, with the aim of having it ready for early scrutiny by the next Government.
