Harmonising Licensing Standards Key to Cross Border Challenges -MP Chris Vince

‘I Hope We Can Work Together to Solve It’

The long-standing issue of cross-border taxi licensing has caused frustration for drivers across England, with Harlow being no exception.

Local drivers and passengers alike face challenges tied to inconsistencies in licensing standards, prompting calls for urgent reform.

Harlow MP Chris Vince has brought this issue into the spotlight, advocating for harmonisation of licensing rules to ensure fairness and safety across the private hire and taxi industry.

In recent years, the rise of cross-border hiring has left many feeling that the playing field is far from level.

Frustrations Among Drivers and Licensing Challenges

For drivers in Harlow, the issue is deeply personal. Many feel undermined by competitors from other districts who, they argue, do not face the same rigorous scrutiny.

Harlow’s local licensing authority has long enforced stringent standards for taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs). However, vehicles licensed elsewhere may not meet these same benchmarks, creating disparities in operating conditions.

“Taxi drivers in Harlow feel there is an uneven playing field,” Vince stated.

“Harlow taxi drivers have always held an extremely high standard, in part due to the level of scrutiny they receive from the local authority. Taxis and PHVs licensed elsewhere are not subject to the same scrutiny.”

Passenger Safety at Risk

The impact of these discrepancies extends beyond the drivers to the passengers they serve. Vince expressed concerns about customer safety and trust, highlighting the lack of uniformity in licensing requirements as a potential risk.

“Ultimately, we want passengers to feel safe getting into a taxi and to be confident that both the driver and vehicle are fully vetted and checked,” Vince explained. “This cannot be guaranteed when the vehicle is licensed out of the area.”

Without harmonised licensing, passengers stepping into a taxi or private hire vehicle might unknowingly ride in a car subject to less rigorous checks. This gap erodes public confidence in the industry and presents safety challenges.

Proposed Solutions: Harmonisation and Local Licensing

Harmonising licensing standards across all authorities is at the heart of Vince’s proposed solution. He argues that all councils should uphold equally high standards to ensure fairness for drivers and safety for passengers. Additionally, Vince advocates for a rule requiring vehicles to be licensed in the areas where they primarily operate.

“Ensuring that all licensing authorities have the same high standards is the ultimate goal,” Vince stated. “Vehicles should be licensed where they pick up or drop off most frequently.”

This change, he suggests, could resolve the cross-border issue while maintaining flexibility for drivers and operators.

Growing Political Momentum

During a recent parliamentary debate, Vince highlighted the widespread support for addressing cross-border licensing, emphasizing that it is not just a local concern but a nationwide issue.

“The amount of MPs from across the house at my recent adjournment debate shows the strength of feeling on this issue across the country,” Vince said. “I hope we can work together to solve it.”

The cross-border licensing challenge has garnered attention from MPs across party lines, reflecting its significance to communities throughout the UK.

Regulatory Gaps and Historical Context

During recent debate, Simon Lightwood, Secretary for Transport, addressed the historical context of the issue, shedding light on the origins of cross-border hiring.

He noted that while the Deregulation Act 2015 enabled subcontracting bookings across district lines, the practice of out-of-area licensing predates this legislation.

“The 2015 Act did not enable private hire vehicles (PHVs) to work anywhere,” Lightwood explained. “The practice of cross-border hiring was an issue long before the Act.”

Lightwood acknowledged that the Act may have exacerbated the problem by making it easier for drivers to exploit discrepancies in licensing standards.

Balancing Regulation and Flexibility

Lightwood cautioned against overly restrictive measures, warning that such changes could unintentionally harm both drivers and passengers.

He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between regulation and flexibility within the taxi and private hire sector.

“Certain options could have negative consequences for the sector, such as reducing service availability or increasing costs for both drivers and passengers,” Lightwood noted.

The Minister also addressed the enforcement challenges associated with cross-border operations, admitting that empowering councils to police out-of-area drivers could be complex and expensive.

Calls for Enhanced Enforcement Powers

A recurring concern among MPs is the inability of local authorities to enforce standards on drivers and vehicles licensed in other districts. This lack of enforcement power undermines local efforts to uphold rigorous safety and operational standards.

Amanda Hack, MP for North West Leicestershire, highlighted the financial strain this places on councils, which rely on license fees to fund enforcement efforts. Without the ability to regulate out-of-town drivers, local authorities are left with limited options to maintain standards.

Lightwood acknowledged these enforcement gaps but cautioned against solutions that might inadvertently harm the sector. He warned against creating barriers that could drive passengers toward unlicensed and unvetted operators.

Industry-Wide Challenges

The scale of the problem is significant. England alone has 263 licensing authorities, many overseeing small numbers of drivers and vehicles. This fragmentation complicates efforts to enforce uniform standards.

Lightwood summarized the challenge succinctly:

“We need to consider the context within which we are working. A high number of authorities are, in some cases, responsible for licensing a very small number of drivers and vehicles.”

The push for harmonisation faces hurdles, but the growing support among MPs, drivers, and passengers underscores its urgency. The taxi and private hire industry remains at a crossroads, grappling with regulatory gaps, enforcement challenges, and calls for reform to ensure fairness and safety for all.