Council confirms mandatory CCTV for taxis and private hire vehicles
Warrington Borough Council has confirmed that all hackney carriage and private hire vehicles must be fitted with approved CCTV cameras and recording equipment in order to pass the MOT compliance test required for licensing, according to guidance published by the council.
The requirement applies to both new and renewing licences and forms part of the council’s taxi licensing conditions. Drivers are directed to use approved CCTV systems and installers, with Warrington Car Audio listed as a supplier offering council-compliant taxi CCTV packages. Supply of a new CCTV system with one camera – £990 inc VAT.
DM News Commentary
While some drivers support in-vehicle CCTV for personal safety, protection against false complaints and evidence in serious incidents, many others are furious at how the policy is being implemented.
The backlash is not about CCTV itself, but about:
- High installation costs, often running into hundreds of pounds
- Limited supplier choice, with drivers unable to shop around freely
- A feeling they are being forced into using expensive “approved” installers
Drivers argue that councils should set technical compliance standards, not dictate where or how drivers must buy the equipment — particularly during a period of rising fuel costs, insurance premiums and licence fees.
“Safety shouldn’t mean removing competition”
A major concern raised by drivers is that restricting CCTV installation to a narrow list of suppliers reduces competition and inflates prices. Many say cheaper systems already exist that could meet the same standards if councils allowed flexibility.
This has led to frustration that drivers are being priced out of compliance, rather than supported.
Risk of drivers licensing elsewhere
Perhaps the most significant long-term issue is the risk of driver migration to neighbouring councils with:
- Lower compliance costs
- No CCTV mandate
- More flexible licensing conditions
This is a familiar pattern across the taxi and private hire sector, where uneven local rules push drivers away, weakening local control and enforcement — the opposite of what councils say they want to achieve.
A wider industry problem
Drivers say this is just another example of regulation being introduced without considering affordability, adding pressure to an already stretched workforce.
Many believe that if CCTV is to become standard across the industry, it should be:
- Introduced through national standards
- Supported by multiple approved suppliers
- Implemented in a way that does not punish drivers financially
Without that balance, well-intentioned safety measures risk becoming yet another reason drivers leave local licensing areas altogether.
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