ALL THINGS LICENSING
l Suspension/Revocation (NC51): Standards for determining licence
continuation; permitted responses include suspension or revocation.
l Renewal (NC52): Standards for licence renewal; authorities may refuse renewal if standards aren’t met.
3. Scope of Standards (NC53)
Avoid distractions - keep your focus on the road and passengers.
5. Emergency Preparedness
Carry a charged mobile phone: and emergency contact details.
Know your local safe spots: well-lit areas or 24-hour services - if you need help quickly. By combining good vehicle maintenance
with
personal safety awareness, you can make the busy Christmas period safer and less stressful. The Department for Transport also publishes staying safe guidance for licence holders at:
https://shorturl.at/YakkP
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
The English Devolution and Community Empower- ment Bill introduces a framework for national minimum standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing across England. It aims to
ensure
consistency, safety, and quality in licensing practices while aligning local authority powers with national objectives.
The Bill is available at:
https://shorturl.at/v8XWe with pages 60 to 66 being relevant to taxi and PHV licensing. The Key Provisions of the Bill at Clauses NC49-NC57 are:
1. Definitions
l National Minimum Standards: Standards prescribed by the Secretary of State for taxi and PHV licensing.
l Regulated Licences: Includes taxi driver, taxi vehicle, PHV driver, PHV vehicle, and PHV operator licences.
2. Standards Framework
l Granting Licences (NC50): Secretary of State can set standards for licence approval/refusal.
PHTM DECEMBER 2025
l May cover individuals, vehicles, services, premises, and require actions such as training or technology adoption.
4. Guidance (NC54)
l Secretary of State may issue guidance to licensing authorities, which must be considered in decision- making.
5. Integration with Existing Laws (NC55)
l Aligns new standards with existing taxi/PHV legislation (e.g., Town Police Clauses Act 1847, Local Government Act 1976, London Acts).
6. Regulatory Process (NC56)
l Requires consultation before regulations; first regulations subject to affirmative resolution.
7. Interpretation (NC57)
l Defines key terms and clarifies scope of regulated licences.
So, finally, after much suggestion there appears to be a legislated route for the introduction of national minimum standards in the sector. From the wording of the Bill these will be the subject of consultation and may well be fitted in with an update to the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards first published in 2020, which local authorities must have regard to in their decision making by virtue of section 177 of the Policing and Crime Act 2017.
Obviously the key terms here are national
‘minimum’ standards, as concerns have rightly been raised about continuing inconsistency though local authorities going over and above what is set as the minimum level; and remaining inconsistency through interpretation and application of any ‘guidance’. However, let us not detract from what will hopefully be the first of many positive developments.
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