Source: Cab Direct 15/03/2010
The influential body representing licensing professionals has launched a nationwide consultation on taxi licensing rules and regulations.
The Institute of Licensing says its independent consultation is the first of its kind. The association wants to gather views from around the country on how the existing laws for taxis, which date back as far as 1847, work for different users including taxi drivers, taxi operators, cab customers and regulators.
Fit for Purpose
The overall aim is to establish if there’s a need for reform of taxi licensing legislation, to make it ‘fit for purpose’ for the 21st century. The Institute says there are many reasons for embarking on this exercise, principally:
- existing laws date back as far as 1847
- lack of understanding makes it easier for rogue cab operators, putting public safety at risk
- different interpretations lead to varying taxi licensing requirements across the country.
The consultation seeks views on whether reform of the law could benefit the provision of taxi services through:
- eliminating inconsistencies between taxi licensing authorities in the application of outdated legislation
- removing outdated practices and controls which stifle economic development and competition in the taxi market
- enhancing public protection and safety by virtue of a simplified system of regulation
- promoting the environmental impact of sustainable transport
- recognising and embedding licensed taxi vehicles as part of the national public transport infrastructure
- reducing the administrative burden on taxi licence holders and licensing authorities
- providing a better structured and more understandable taxi licensing framework.
The Institute’s President is James Button, a legal expert in taxi licensing matters and founding member of the Institute.
Archaic
Launching the taxi consultation at a special press conference in Basingstoke, James commented: “Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are used by thousands of people every day, from every walk of life, for essential journeys, business and pleasure.”
James added: “Unfortunately, due to the archaic laws that regulate their activity there are wide differences in standards across England and Wales and plenty of loopholes which provide opportunities for the unscrupulous and pitfalls for the unwary.
“These can potentially put passengers, drivers and the general public at risk.”
The consultation seeks views from everyone who has any interest in taxis. It asks questions covering understanding of existing law, seeks views on whether change is necessary and asks what changes would benefit taxi users, the taxi trade and taxi regulators.
The Institute says this is the first consultation of this type to include the public as users in addition to the hackney taxi and private hire trade and taxi regulators.
Input your views through the Institute’s online survey by clicking here.
