Ministers have proposed new guidelines to protect vulnerable passengers in taxis and private hire vehicles, including enhanced criminal and background checks for all drivers.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said the guidelines would improve safety, with enhanced safety standards for taxi and private hire vehicles that would be consistent across the country.
Proposed measures include recommending that councils require every driver to undergo enhanced criminal record and background checks.
Buses and taxis minister Nusrat Ghani said: ‘While the vast majority of drivers are safe and act responsibly, we have seen too many cases where taxi and minicab drivers have used their job to prey on vulnerable people, women and children.'
Cllr Simon Blackburn, chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: ‘Councils have long-called for existing outdated taxi laws to be updated and strengthened so we are very pleased that so many of our recommendations have been supported in this consultation.
‘Proposals to improve safeguarding, establish national minimum standards and create national enforcement powers are essential to provide safer journeys for passengers and fairer business for drivers. The need for legislative reform to taxi laws, which date back to the 19th century, is now urgent.’
A consultation will run until 22 April and comes as part of the Government’s response to the Task and Finish Group’s report on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, which made a series of recommendations in September.
The Government has also pledged to legislate on national minimum standards for drivers, to establish a national licensing database and to look at restricting drivers operating ‘hundreds of miles away from where they are licensed’.
As part of proposed minimum standards, the DfT said it will consider whether vehicles should be fitted with CCTV, using encrypted systems so that footage can only be accessed if a crime is reported.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
