OUT-OF-AREA WORKING: MP questions transport minister on taxi and private hire licensing enforcement
- Perry Richardson
- Feb 13
- 2 min read
Chris Ward, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has questioned the Government on how it is supporting local authorities in enforcing taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing regulations. He also sought clarification on what steps are being taken to ensure that taxi and PHV journeys either start or finish within the area in which the vehicle is licensed.
In response, Simon Lightwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Transport, reiterated that taxis and PHVs have always been permitted to carry pre-booked fares outside their licensed areas. This flexibility, he said, allows operators to meet passenger demand more effectively.
Lightwood highlighted existing requirements for licensing authorities to share safeguarding and road safety concerns about drivers with the authority that issued their licence. The licensing authority must then assess whether the driver’s licence should be suspended or revoked.
He also pointed to current Department for Transport guidance, which outlines how local authorities can improve compliance and enforcement. This includes the ability to authorise each other’s officers for enforcement duties or apply for broader powers through the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. Joint enforcement operations between authorities are also an option.
Acknowledging concerns over out-of-area working, Lightwood confirmed that the Government is considering measures to strengthen regulation in the sector.
Lightwood said: “It is widely accepted that taxis and private hire vehicles have always been permitted to carry pre-booked fares outside the area in which they are licensed. This allows the sector to work more flexibly to meet the needs of their passengers.
“Licensing authorities in England are required by law to share safeguarding or road safety concerns about taxi and private hire vehicle drivers licensed in other areas with the authority that issued the licence. The authority that issued the licence must then consider whether to suspend or revoke the driver’s licence.
“The Department for Transport has issued guidance to licensing authorities which includes ways that authorities can, if needed, seek increased compliance and enforcement powers. Licensing authorities can jointly authorise each other's officers or can seek additional powers over all licensed vehicles and drivers through the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. Licensing authorities can also undertake joint enforcement operations.
“The Government recognises concerns around out-of-area working and is considering options to strengthen the regulation of the sector.”
