Licensing authorities to be slashed from 263 to 70 in new DfT proposal

The Government has launched a consultation into new proposals to overhaul the private hire licensing system.

Under the proposed changes, the number of licensing authorities would be reduced from 263 to 70 local transport authorities (LTAs), which already manage local transport planning.

The changes would simplify how taxi and private hire vehicle drivers get their licenses by putting the power in the hands of local transport authorities.

The move is designed to reduce the practice of out-of-area working, which sees drivers obtaining their license in one area and operating mainly in another.

In a statement, the Deprartment for Transport said: “By reducing the number of licensing authorities, the number of boundaries between areas is reduced and licensees would have fewer opportunities to seek out less stringent licensing rules. For example, currently in Greater Manchester, there are 10 licensing authorities. However, un-der the proposals, this would be reduced to just one licensing authority.”

These proposals form part of the government’s response to Baroness Casey’s national audit on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, which recommended more rigorous statutory standards for local authority licensing and regulation of taxi drivers.

Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: “These proposals, combined with the introduction of national minimum standards, are important next steps to making taxis and private hire vehicles as safe as possible. By moving licensing to all local transport authorities, we’re encouraging greater consistency and stronger enforcement across the country.”

A spokesperson for the Licensed Private Hire Car Association said: “We are delighted that the government is consulting on making all local transport authorities responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing. Reducing the number of licensing authorities should enable licensing efficiencies and consistency of standards nationally for taxis and private hire vehicles, which in turn will improve safety for the travelling public.”

This consultation follows proposed new standards on taxi licensing to strengthen safety and protections for passengers in taxis and private hire vehicles. Under the new rules, the Transport Secretary would have the power to introduce national minimum standards for taxi and PHV licensing.

This would see all drivers subject to robust checks and would mean passengers can feel safe in the knowledge that their taxis and PHVs meet strict national standards, no matter where they are in the country.

The public consultation will run until April 1. Click here to take part.