Thousands of drivers will be required to adhere to new licensing rules, as the Government overhauls laws to boost safety.
Ministers have given the green light to new laws designed to strengthen safety and protection for passengers in taxis and private hire vehicles.
The new national standards follow Baroness Casey’s audit into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, as the Government looks to protect passengers and young people.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander now has the power to introduce standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing following rules debated in Parliament earlier this week (November 25).
The standards would require all drivers, vehicles and operators to undergo robust checks and requirements on safety and accessibility.
Fresh licensing rules could be introduced by the Government after an amendment was made to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment (EDCE) Bill.
Baroness Casey’s report called on the Government to address inconsistent standards in taxi and private hire vehicle driver licensing.
The report stated that the amendment would protect passengers from those looking to do harm, despite the majority of people in the trade being “law-abiding people providing an important service to the public”.
Labour could soon launch new taxi licensing rules
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PA
The standards remain subject to consultation and will be focused on safety, with support from across the Government, including the Transport Secretary.
The Labour MP for Swindon South said: “While the vast majority of taxi and private hire vehicle drivers are responsible, passenger safety is our top priority.
“We are therefore working quickly and decisively to address the concerns around taxi and PHV licensing highlighted in Baroness Casey’s report.
“This amendment is a first step and shows the Government is committed to delivering robust national minimum standards so passengers can travel with confidence.”
The Department for Transport confirmed that a new consultation would be launched to make all local transport authorities responsible for private hire vehicle licensing.
In doing so, the Government would reduce the number of licensing authorities from 263 to just 70.
Baroness Casey added: “For too long, weaknesses in the taxi licensing system have left it open to exploitation by those intent on sexually exploiting children.
“I welcome this announcement as an important first step towards introducing new, rigorous standards that will help protect the most vulnerable.”
Experts have warned that a delay in the new rules being introduced could impact passenger safety
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PAThe move has also been supported by key players in the taxi and private hire vehicle space, including Addison Lee COO, Patrick Gallagher, who said the company welcomed the Government’s proposals.
“A clear, legal baseline applied across every local authority is essential to establish a consistently high safety standard across the sector and to crack down on unscrupulous operators exploiting the law,” he added.
Similarly, Suky Bhaker, CEO of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, explained that the organisation had campaigned for decades to improve safety checks for drivers.
However, she warned that there cannot be any further delays, as passenger safety will continue to be put at risk.