For more than a decade, few issues have divided the taxi and private hire industry quite like out-of-area licensing. What began as a technical regulatory matter has developed into a national political debate involving ministers, mayors, councils, unions, regulators, safeguarding campaigners and multinational ride-hailing firms. At the centre of the row is a relatively simple question: Should a private hire driver licensed in one authority be allowed to operate predominantly i

Image credit: LEVC Accessibility and mobility protections for disabled passengers have emerged as a central focus of the Government’s proposed Draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill. The draft framework states that new legislation would seek to “deliver more accessible services for disabled passengers” by strengthening protections and removing barriers to travel across England’s taxi and PHV sector. The proposals reflect growing concern that accessibility standards vary sig

Pressure is continuing to mount on the Government to tighten taxi and private hire vehicle licensing laws after MPs used a House of Commons debate on economic growth to highlight concerns around cross-border licensing, passenger safety and inconsistent local authority standards. During the “Backing Business to Create Economic Growth” debate on 18 May, Labour MP Christopher Vince raised what he described as a taxi licensing loophole that allows drivers licensed in one authorit