YELLOW BADGE CONCERNS: LTDA criticises TfL over lack of enforcement on suburban taxi licence misuse
- Perry Richardson
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Transport for London (TfL) is facing criticism over what has been described as a failure to clamp down on drivers operating outside their licensed areas.
Anthony Street, Executive for the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), raised concerns that suburban-licensed taxi drivers are frequently working in Central London against the terms of their licence.
Street said drivers with suburban licences are only permitted to accept pre-booked journeys starting within their designated suburban sectors. Despite this, he claimed many are seen taking jobs they are not entitled to, putting them in direct competition with drivers who are licensed to work across the whole of London.
The concerns raised centre on the distinction between the two types of taxi licences in London. The All London licence, known as the Green Badge, allows drivers to operate anywhere within Greater London. To obtain this badge, drivers must pass the full Knowledge of London, which requires them to learn thousands of streets, routes and points of interest across the capital.
In contrast, the Suburban licence, known as the Yellow Badge, is restricted to one of nine designated suburban sectors around London. Drivers licensed in these areas are only permitted to accept immediate street hails or rank jobs within their own sector. They may accept pre-booked jobs, but only if the journey starts inside their licensed area. Unlike Green Badge drivers, they are not authorised to pick up work elsewhere in the capital.
The LTDA argues that the misuse of suburban licences undermines the system and creates an uneven playing field for those who have invested years into completing the full Knowledge of London. Street’s comments highlight ongoing frustration among Green Badge drivers who believe that rules are not being consistently applied or enforced.
Street said in TAXI Newspaper: “TfL is failing to tackle clear licence misuse in Central London. Drivers licensed in suburban areas are frequently reported for operating outside their authorised zones, yet little enforcement follows. These drivers are supposed to pick up only pre-booked jobs that start within their licensed area. In practice, many are seen picking up jobs they are not entitled to, undermining the rules and disadvantaging those who follow them.
“Green badge holders, who complete far more extensive training and are licensed to work across Greater London, are rightly frustrated. It is demoralising to watch others break the rules with impunity. TfL officials have acknowledged this problem in recent meetings and promised to increase enforcement.
“But promises without action are meaningless.”
