The UK government has unveiled a significant crackdown on taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing, introducing new powers to establish national minimum standards for driver, vehicle, and operator safety.
Addressing Safety Loopholes
This legislative change, announced on 28 November 2025, is a direct response to the findings of Baroness Casey’s audit into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, which was published in June of this year. The report highlighted critical weaknesses in the existing licensing system that have been exploited by individuals intending to harm vulnerable passengers, including children.
Under the new rules, the Secretary of State for Transport will be granted the authority to impose robust, consistent checks and requirements across all local authorities in England. This move aims to close the current loophole that has, in some cases, allowed drivers with convictions for violent or sexual offences to be knowingly granted a licence.
Industry and Expert Reaction
Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander stated: "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."
Baroness Casey herself welcomed the announcement, calling it "an important first step towards introducing new, rigorous standards that will help protect the most vulnerable."
The proposed reforms have garnered support from industry leaders and safety campaigners alike. Patrick Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer of Addison Lee, emphasised that 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."
Suky Bhaker, CEO of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a charity that has campaigned for decades for improved safety checks, also welcomed the news. She highlighted the urgent need for change to protect passengers from the minority of drivers who wish to do harm, stating that "further delay will continue to put passenger safety at risk."
The Path Forward for Passenger Protection
The introduction of national minimum standards represents the most substantial shake-up of the taxi and private hire licensing system in years. The government has committed to working with independent experts and the industry to implement these reforms at the earliest opportunity.
The changes will ensure that all drivers, vehicles, and operators are subject to the same rigorous checks on safety and accessibility, creating a fairer and safer environment for the thousands of passengers who rely on these services every day. This decisive action aims to restore public confidence and ensure that passenger safety is never compromised by regional inconsistencies in licensing law.
