A newly published written evidence submission to the UK Parliament has seen Transport for London raise serious concerns about the current taxi and private hire licensing system, particularly around cross-border hiring and inconsistent national standards.
The document, submitted to the UK Parliament as part of the ongoing Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Inquiry, expands on TfL’s earlier evidence and outlines what it believes are growing risks to passenger safety, fair competition, and effective enforcement under the current framework.
Cross-Border Hiring Remains a Major Risk
TfL reiterated its long-standing concern that drivers licensed by one authority can legally operate in another area without meeting that authority’s standards. According to TfL, this loophole undermines local regulation, creates unfair competition for drivers who meet stricter standards, and can confuse passengers who assume all vehicles operating in an area are subject to the same rules.
TfL warned that cross-border hiring has previously been linked to serious safeguarding failures, referencing findings from national reviews into exploitation cases, and stressed that the issue cannot be resolved through local enforcement alone.
Call for National Minimum Licensing Standards
In its submission, TfL backed the introduction of national minimum standards for taxi and private hire licensing. The organisation argued that a consistent baseline across England would improve safety and accessibility while still allowing local authorities to apply higher standards where justified.
TfL said national standards would help address disparities in driver vetting, vehicle requirements, and operator obligations that currently exist between licensing areas.
Enforcement Powers and Data Sharing
TfL also called for stronger enforcement powers for licensing authorities, including improved access to data such as DVLA records, enhanced information-sharing between councils, and clearer powers to act against uninsured or unlawfully operating vehicles.
The submission noted that while proposals such as caps on private hire vehicle numbers could help with congestion and driver earnings in some areas, they would not fix cross-border hiring issues without wider legislative reform.
Taxi Standards and Zero-Emission Progress
The evidence also highlighted TfL’s Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan 2025, which includes commitments around safety, driver support, accessibility, and environmental progress. TfL stated that a majority of London taxis are now zero-emission capable and that dedicated charging infrastructure continues to expand.
TfL reaffirmed that its taxi Conditions of Fitness remain under regular review to ensure safety and accessibility standards keep pace with vehicle technology and passenger needs.
DM News Commentary
This submission underlines what many drivers and operators outside London have been saying for years: the current licensing system is fragmented and no longer fit for purpose.
While TfL naturally focuses on London, the issues raised apply nationwide. Cross-border hiring doesn’t just affect big cities — it impacts local operators, airport work, and rural areas where enforcement resources are already stretched. National minimum standards could help level the playing field, but only if they’re meaningful and properly enforced.
For drivers doing things the right way, clearer rules and consistent standards could finally bring some fairness back into the system. The big question now is whether the government is prepared to move from consultation to real legislative change.
Thanks for visiting DM News! If you’ve got a question, a story tip, or anything you’d like to share, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you.
While you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
