NEW SIGNAGE: TfL set to introduce new complaint signage in all black taxis and licensed PHVs

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that all licensed taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) will now be required to display details on how to make a complaint to TfL.

The new signage will be affixed to vehicles as part of the vehicle licensing inspection process, starting from 1 July 2024.

Additionally, TfL has set a requirement for taxi and PHV drivers to ensure that the prescribed signage is displayed in the vehicles they are driving. This requirement will come into effect from 1 July 2025.

These changes are part of the ongoing efforts by TfL to enhance passenger safety in the taxi and PHV industry. The Department for Transport (DfT) introduced new Statutory Standards in July 2020 to safeguard children and vulnerable adults and improve overall passenger safety. While most of these standards have already been implemented in London, some were subject to consultation to gather feedback on their proposed implementation.

From 27 February to 12 May 2023, TfL consulted on proposed changes to further improve passenger safety in these services. One of the most significant changes resulting from this consultation is the mandating of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Update service, which will take effect from 26 February 2024 to enhance safety measures.

All other standards will be implemented simultaneously from 1 July 2024, except for the requirement for displaying complaints signage, which will be enforced from July 2025. Additionally, the Safety, Equality, and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) requirement for taxi drivers will come into effect from 1 October 2025. These staggered implementation dates have been set to allow the taxi and PHV industries sufficient time to prepare for the upcoming changes.