The Government has launched a public consultation on proposals to reduce 'out-of-area' working by taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers, aimed at improving passenger safety and simplifying the licensing system.
Under the plans, responsibility for taxi and PHV licensing would move from the current 263 issuing bodies to around 70 Local Transport Authorities (LTAs), which already oversee local transport planning.
Ministers say this would improve consistency, strengthen enforcement and reduce the practice of drivers being licensed in one area but operating mainly in another.
The Department for Transport said reducing the number of licensing authorities would limit opportunities for drivers to seek out less stringent rules, helping address safety risks and unfair competition.
The proposals follow Baroness Casey’s National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, which recommended stronger national standards.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks and is part of wider plans to introduce national minimum standards for taxi and PHV licensing across England.
A spokesperson for The Licensed Private Hire Car Association said: ‘We are delighted that the government is consulting on making all Local Transport Authorities responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing.
‘Reducing the number of licensing authorities should enable licensing efficiencies and consistency of standards nationally for Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles, which in turn will improve safety for the travelling public.’
