Taxi drivers are facing mounting disruption and additional costs linked to failures in the DBS Update Service, with reports of cancelled subscriptions and licensing complications emerging across the trade. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Update Service became mandatory for all new and renewing Transport for London (TfL) driver licences in February 2024. Under the system, drivers must remain continuously subscribed to allow TfL to carry out regular background checks w

App-based restrictions on private hire driver working hours are often presented as a safeguard against fatigue, but growing scrutiny suggests the current model may fall short of delivering meaningful control. Several large private hire operators limit the amount of time drivers can remain logged into their platforms, typically capping continuous driving periods or total hours within a set timeframe. These measures are designed to mirror safety standards seen in other transpor

Passengers using taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) could see notable changes to service consistency, accessibility and pricing protections under proposals linked to the government’s Devolution Bill, which would move licensing powers to larger Local Transport Authorities (LTAs). At the centre of the reforms is a shift away from fragmented local authority licensing towards broader, more integrated geographic areas. The government argues this better reflects how passengers