Survey reveals most taxi and private hire vehicle drivers feel local authorities DON’T LISTEN to driver concerns
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 11
- 2 min read
Taxi and private hire drivers across the UK believe their concerns are being ignored by local authorities. The National Taxi and Private Hire Driver Survey 2024/25 highlights growing frustration within the industry, with many drivers feeling that their voices are not being heard on key issues affecting their livelihoods.
More than 52.5% of drivers say their local authority rarely or never listens to their concerns. Just 16.1% believe they are always heard, while a quarter feel they are listened to only “sometimes”.
This lack of engagement is felt across multiple areas, from licensing policies to safety concerns and the rising costs of running a vehicle. Many drivers feel that local councils make decisions without consulting those who work on the ground every day.
Cross-Border Licensing: An Unresolved Issue
Cross-border licensing remains a major grievance. The practice allows private hire drivers to obtain a licence in one area but work in another, often bypassing stricter local regulations. This has been a growing issue for years, with some licensing authorities accused of issuing large numbers of licences without considering the impact on other regions.
More than 69% of drivers in Yorkshire and the Humber ranked this as their top concern, followed by strong dissatisfaction in the North West and the West Midlands. Despite repeated calls for reform, drivers say local councils and national policymakers have failed to take meaningful action.
Safety Concerns Ignored
Safety is another area where drivers feel neglected. More than half of surveyed drivers have experienced verbal abuse, while 40.9% have faced physical violence. Despite this, a section of local authorities continue to focus more on passenger safeguarding than on driver protection.
Some councils have introduced optional safety measures such as in-vehicle CCTV, but many drivers argue these should be mandatory. Others have called for emergency alarms linked to police and protective screens in vehicles.
What Next?
The Labour Government has indicated that it is reviewing taxi and private hire licensing laws, but drivers remain sceptical. Similar promises have been made before, with little action taken.
The survey makes one thing clear: many drivers do not believe local authorities are listening to them. Whether on licensing, safety, or sustainability, they feel their concerns are overlooked in favour of decisions made behind closed doors.
