MP questions need for standardised private hire licensing as Government defends Local Authority control
- Perry Richardson
- Feb 28
- 2 min read
A question raised in Parliament has reignited the debate over whether private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing should be standardised across England.
Phil Brickell, Labour MP for Bolton West, pressed the Secretary of State for Transport on steps being taken to align PHV licensing requirements across all local authorities. The issue remains a contentious one, with operators and drivers often facing different standards depending on where they work.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood reaffirmed that licensing decisions remain in the hands of local authorities. He stated that the Government provides a regulatory framework but allows councils to set their own criteria for drivers, operators, and vehicle safety.
Lightwood pointed to the Department for Transport’s statutory and best practice guidance, which aims to encourage consistency while allowing flexibility for local needs. The guidance is designed to ensure high but proportionate safety and accessibility standards across the sector.
The response is unlikely to satisfy those calling for a unified approach. Many in the industry argue that varying standards create an uneven playing field, with drivers sometimes seeking licences in areas with less stringent requirements before working elsewhere. Others maintain that local control is essential to reflect the specific needs of different communities.
Lightwood said: “The Government is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which licensing authorities in England administer the taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regime. Under this system licensing authorities have the flexibility to set the standards they consider appropriate to demonstrate that a private hire vehicle driver or operator are fit to hold a licence and that vehicles are safe.
“The Department for Transport has however issued statutory and best practice guidance to assist licensing authorities. These aim to promote a consistency in licensing requirements and polices for both taxis and private hire vehicles by setting high but proportionate requirements to enable the sector to provide safe and accessible services that meet a wide range of passenger needs.”
