Consultation: Draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy
The consultation has now closed. All comments received will be considered by the Licensing Board at a meeting in October 2025 (date to be confirmed).
This consultation is for the Draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy.
In formulating this policy, account was taken of the following:
- Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing – Best Practice Guidance (Department of Transport (DfT) 2023)
- Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards (Department for Transport (DfT) November 2022)
- Taxis & Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022
- Institute of Licensing Suitability Guidance – Guidance on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees in the hackney and private hire industry – Published November 2024
- Access for wheelchair users to Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles – Statutory Guidance (Department For Transport 2022)
- Guidance for licensing authorities to prevent illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector in the UK (Home Office March 25)
- The Finance Act 2021, Schedule 33 (Licensing Authorities: Tax Information) Regulation 2022
However, local circumstances and requirements have also been taken into account in this policy and the policy is based other local authorities policies within the Kent area.
There has recently been a report, National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse – Baroness Casey, and there is a page in that (138) re Taxi Licensing.
Below is the summary of the chapter on Taxi Licensing
Chapter summary: • As a key part of the night time economy, taxis have historically been identified as a way children can be at risk of sexual exploitation. • Local authorities issue taxi licences in line with statutory guidance issued by the government. Some go above and beyond this statutory guidance as a means of combating child sexual exploitation but they are being hindered by a lack of stringency in other local authorities, and legal loopholes which mean drivers can apply for a licence anywhere in the country. • Proper safeguards in the licensing of taxis is as much about protecting the drivers as the passengers. • The Department for Transport should close this loophole immediately and introduce more rigorous standards.
The Transport Committee has launched an inquiry into the regulation of taxi and private hire vehicles in England and have called for evidence from local authorities.
The Department of Transport will legislate to address inconsistent taxi/PH licensing standards
The UK Government has confirmed plans to reform taxi licensing arrangements following Baroness Casey of Blackstock’s National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, published on 16 June.
Responding to a written question from Lord Spellar, Minister of State Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill stated that the Department for Transport will legislate to address inconsistent standards in the licensing of taxi and private hire vehicle drivers. He said all options will be considered, including tackling the issue of out-of-area working, introducing national standards, and strengthening enforcement, with passenger safety as the primary concern.
In advance of legislation, interim measures will be introduced. These include consulting on proposals that would transfer responsibility for taxi and private hire licensing to local transport authorities and evaluating how existing statutory guidance might be reinforced to better safeguard the public. Authorities’ compliance with current guidance is under review, with non-compliance subject to accountability.
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