Taxi and private hire licensing standards ‘vary hugely’ across England and Wales, warns Institute of Licensing
The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has warned of licensing standards that ‘vary hugely’ across the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector in England and Wales.
Jim Button, President of the IoL, highlighted the inconsistent standards applied by licensing authorities, which a recent report from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust suggests puts public safety at risk.
According to Button, it is critical that licensing authorities adopt the Institute’s Suitability Guidance. He emphasised the need for policies that clearly outline which offences and behaviours would result in licence refusal or revocation, and for those policies to be consistently enforced. The IoL supports calls for legislative reform, but in the absence of new laws, it is urging authorities to voluntarily implement these guidelines to ensure that only safe and suitable individuals are licensed.
This statement comes at a time of increasing scrutiny over passenger safety, particularly in relation to taxis and PHVs. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, marking National Personal Safety Day, raised alarm over gaps in current licensing law that allow drivers with violent convictions to continue working. Despite the introduction of the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022, the enforcement of consistent standards remains problematic.
These concerns are supported by recent findings from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request revealed that many drivers with convictions for offences such as assault, battery, and harassment are still being licensed. A new survey also indicates that over 30% of the public feel unsafe using taxi and PHV services, with a significant proportion believing that stricter licensing standards would improve safety.
Button’s comments highlight the need for urgent government intervention. The IoL believes that national minimum standards should be introduced to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining licences and to close legal loopholes. Additionally, licensing authorities should be empowered to enforce these standards on all drivers operating in their jurisdictions, even if the drivers are licensed elsewhere.
Button said: “There is no doubt that the standards applied by licensing authorities in relation to determining whether a person is safe and suitable to be a taxi driver vary hugely across England and Wales.
“The Institute of Licensing supports call for legislation in this area. In the meantime, it encourages all licensing authorities to adopt the Guidelines published by the IoL. It is vital that applicants’ and licensees’ history of concerning behaviour is taken into account by licensing authorities: they should have a clear policy detailing which crimes and behaviours will result in licence refusal or revocation, and that should be adhered to.”
