The wrong social media questions and answers could cost drivers their licences, warns taxi association

The power of social media is undeniable, but for London’s taxi drivers, it can quickly become a double-edged sword. Paul Brennan, Chairman of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), has voiced his concerns over drivers turning to social media for professional advice, often resulting in severe and unintended repercussions.

Brennan highlighted how drivers frequently post questions on platforms like Facebook, asking if they can park in specific areas or whether certain requirements need to be disclosed to Transport for London (TfL). In many cases, just by posting these queries, drivers inadvertently create an official record—effectively informing TfL themselves. Brennan's message is blunt: the risk is real, and the wrong advice from social media could escalate a minor issue into a major licensing headache.

The LTDA Chairman also pointed out the worrying trend of drivers seeking guidance on critical, often licence-threatening issues from social media groups. Brennan warned that the majority of responses are worryingly inaccurate, putting drivers at risk of making costly mistakes. Instead, Brennan urged drivers to rely on the LTDA or other professional bodies for proper advice. “That’s what we’re here for,” he said, emphasising that sorting a problem early is much easier than trying to fix it later, especially after following the wrong advice.

Brennan also touched on the damaging culture of drivers posting about their peers’ mistakes online. He warned that TfL actively monitors social media channels, with some drivers receiving "fitness to be licensed" letters for incidents posted by others. While serious concerns should be reported through proper channels, casual social media posts over minor incidents can easily land cabbies in hot water.

The LTDA Chairman said in TAXI Newspaper: “All too frequently now I’m having to deal with repercussions of some social media posts and drivers, who are having sleepless nights because of them.

“Drivers on social media, especially on platforms like Facebook where you can’t easily hide your real identity, (although it’s now not too difficult) are regularly asking questions like ‘can I leave my cab here, or 'where can I park to go to insert venue'. Then of course there’s then the absolute classic ‘do I have to tell TfL about.......’ Well guess what, the second you posted that question, you just did.

“More worrying is drivers asking for answers to some really important questions on some very serious subjects where the majority of answers given, on what can be a licence threatening issue, are so far from correct. It’s actually quite frightening and if the wrong advice is followed, it’s likely to make a fairly simple matter, much more serious.

“If you're a member of an org, call them, that’s what we’re here for, it’s not too much trouble and certainly a lot easier for us to advise you at the start, than trying to put right issues needlessly caused because you believed a random reply on social media. If you're not a member of an org, my advice would obviously be to join the LTDA but failing that, do a bit of your own research using TfL's Taxi/ Private hire website. Reading the information and TPH notices will often answer many questions.

“DO NOT rely on answers from someone on a driver’s group, or a random Twitter account. They might not even be a driver and could even just be someone who takes pleasure in knowing they’ve caused you grief. The golden rule is to be mindful that advice on social media is all too often nothing more than just a daft, an outright ridiculous or even dangerous response, so take the advice accordingly.”