Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill Explained

The Core Problem

Right now, the UK taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) industry relies on a fragmented "patchwork" of rules that vary wildly from council to council. Because of modern booking apps, Drivers often cross local borders to work. This creates huge loopholes where data isn't shared, enforcement is weak, and passengers—especially women, girls, and vulnerable children on school runs—are put at risk.

What the New Bill Will Do

The draft Bill focuses on four main areas to clean up the industry:

1. Stronger Safety & Safeguarding

• National Rules: Replaces local council variations with a single, strict national framework for getting and holding a licence.

• Closing Exploitation Loopholes: Directly responds to major safety reviews (like Baroness Casey's audit). It tightens vetting to stop grooming gangs and abusers from exploiting weak local licensing systems.

• National Database: Creates a mandatory nationwide system tracking all Drivers, vehicles, and operators so councils can share background checks and red flags instantly.

2. Better Enforcement

• More Power to Regulators: Gives local authorities the teeth to instantly crack down on, suspend, or penalise drivers who break the rules, even if they are licensed by a different council.

• Follow the Money: Shifts enforcement funding to the actual areas where the cars are being driven, rather than where the licence was originally bought.

3. Fairer Access for Disabled Passengers

• Removing Barriers: Toughens existing laws to stop Drivers from refusing disabled passengers or charging them extra, ensuring those who rely most on taxis aren't left stranded.

4. Levelling the Playing Field

• Fair Competition: Creates clearer, modern rules that reflect how we travel today (using apps), supporting professional Drivers while boosting the night-time economy and local businesses.

The Key Facts Behind the Changes

• A Massive Industry: There are over 381,000 licensed drivers and 313,000 vehicles in England, and the market is growing rapidly.

• Who Relies on Taxis Most? Taxis aren't a luxury; they are essential transport.

  • People with mobility difficulties take 70% more taxi trips than non-disabled people.

  • Women take 25% more trips than men.

  • Low-income households and those without cars rely on them up to four times more than wealthier households.

• The School Run Risk: About 8% of all taxi/PHV journeys are for education, including vital SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) transport for children. Consistent safety checks are critical here.

What happens next? Because this is a Draft Bill, it will first undergo "pre-legislative scrutiny." This means the government will spend time gathering feedback from transport experts, Drivers, and safety groups to fine-tune the text before it officially becomes law.