TAXI! How many of these NINE obscure taxi laws did you know?

As a taxi driver, getting your passengers from A to B safely is your number one priority.

But while the public are usually more than familiar with the rules of the road, thanks to Swinton Insurance here are some of the more obscure taxi laws that could land both the passenger and driver in hot water...

1- Taxi CCTV continuous recording law

CCTV systems in taxis and private hire vehicles are becoming increasingly common – in fact, many local authorities now require them to be installed, as they can help to fight crime and protect both drivers and passengers.

However, it’s been highlighted by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) that CCTV systems that continuously record are on the rise. Continuous recording CCTV, as you might imagine, carries on recording until the vehicle’s engine is switched off, so even when you’re not carrying passengers or you’re off duty.

The ICO’s view is that continuous recording is unlawful and that it’s important for taxi drivers to protect themselves against complaints about the overuse of CCTV. Generally, the use of CCTV should only be when it’s necessary, i.e. when transporting passengers, and it should be switched off when you’re off duty.

2- Taxi child seat law

Generally, children up to the age of 12 must use car seats, however, the rule is different when travelling by taxi. If you’re not able to provide a car seat, children aged three and above must travel in the rear of the vehicle and use an adult seat belt.

Younger children below three years of age must sit in their own seat next to an adult – it’s thought that this is safer than holding them, in case of an accident or a sudden stop.

3- Taxi drivers don’t need to wear seatbelts

Interestingly, and perhaps surprisingly, licensed taxi drivers carrying passengers or ‘plying for hire’ don’t have to wear seatbelts. The reason behind this unusual law is to protect taxi drivers from being attacked – it’s thought that a seat belt could be used to hold the driver down in their seat.

Another reason is that it simply makes it easier for taxi drivers to move in and out of their vehicle to assist passengers.

Conversely, taxi passengers must always wear seat belts.

4- Taxi air quality law

Officially known as the Air Quality Regulations 2019 (Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles Database) (England and Wales), the introduction of the taxi air quality law means that all councils responsible for licensing taxis will need to provide certain information about them to a national database.

This follows the UK’s failure to comply by EU limits for nitrogen dioxide, and the introduction of Clear Air Zones (CAZs) in the nation’s towns and cities, in a bid to decrease pollution on the roads and improve air quality.

In order to correctly identify taxis and private hire vehicles, councils will be required to share data including the vehicle registration number, the licence start and end dates, the name of the licensing authority, and whether the vehicle is a taxi or a private hire vehicle. Such information will need to be provided on a regular basis, possibly as frequently as once a week.

It’s thought that the implementation of CAZs by local councils will result in charges being applied to both taxis and private hire vehicles – in fact, it’s already happening in central London, and other UK towns and cities are expected to follow suit soon.

5- Taxi luggage law

Taxi drivers must allow their passengers to carry a ‘reasonable’ amount of luggage, i.e. luggage that will fit safely within the vehicle and should aim to assist with loading and unloading of luggage where possible.  

6- Taxi soiling law

Whether you’ve been driving a taxi or private hire for six months or six years, in all likelihood you’ve come across a sickly passenger at some point.

Statutory rules around soiling are generally laid out by the licensing council, so ensure you check with them to ensure you ask any passengers who have soiled your vehicle for the correct amount.

7- Taxi drinking law

While you might think that it’s illegal to have an open alcohol container in a taxi, you may be surprised to learn that it’s not: As a taxi driver, you should (obviously) not be drinking alcohol, however, it isn’t actually illegal for an adult taxi passenger to drink it.

Nonetheless, drinking alcohol while riding in a taxi or private hire vehicle isn’t really considered the norm. It’s important that a calm, respectful environment is encouraged, to make taxi rides safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

8- Taxi smoking law

As has been the case since 2007, smoking isn’t allowed in enclosed public places, workplaces and public and work vehicles. This includes all taxis and private hire vehicles, even when the vehicle isn’t carrying passengers.

It’s also a requirement for no smoking signage to be displayed, and any drivers or passengers caught flouting the rules can be fined up to £200.

This information also applies to e-cigarettes.

9- Taxi accessibility law

New laws arrived in 2022 that ensures the 13.7 million disabled people in England, Scotland and Wales receive the assistance they need and will not be charged over the odds when using taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs).

The new Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022, which came into force on 28 June, is the most significant change to taxi accessibility legislation since the Equality Act was introduced 12 years ago.

As part of the amendments, taxi and PHV drivers could face fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to provide reasonable mobility assistance to disabled passengers taking a pre-booked vehicle.

This will also ensure that visually impaired passengers will be assisted by drivers to help them identify or find the vehicle. There will also be a duty for local authorities to publicly identify wheelchair-accessible vehicles in their fleets.