Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the powers available to local authorities to tackle taxi and private hire taxi and private hire drivers and operators that undertake cross-border hiring and operating in a local authority area under a licence issued by a different local authority.

At a Westminster Hall Debate last year, the Rt Hon John Hayes MP announced the formation of a Task and Finish group to consider any regulatory issues, their causes and potential remedies. The group’s remit includes considering a range of matters such as cross-border hiring, licensing standards and the use and effectiveness of powers currently available to licensing authorities.

Taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) are able to work across licensing areas to carry pre-booked fares regardless of where a journey starts or ends. PHVs are subject to a ‘triple licensing lock’ requirement i.e. the driver, vehicle and operator fulfilling the booking must all be licensed by the same authority.

The Group is nearing the conclusion of its considerations and is expected to submit its report shortly.