Uber, Bolt and taxi firms quizzed by MPs on driver licensing standards
The Transport Committee will question representatives of major ride-hailing, taxi and cab firms, as well as charities, on how effective the current licensing framework is, and whether a new set of national licensing standards should be introduced in England.
Meeting details
The Transport Committee will question representatives of major ride-hailing, taxi and cab firms, as well as charities, on how effective the current licensing framework is, and whether a new set of national licensing standards should be introduced in England.
Witnesses from Uber, Bolt, Veezu and Vokes Taxis will be asked for their views on whether a national system could simplify licensing policy across the country. Currently over 200 different licensing conditions exist between 270 local systems in England.
It comes as the cross-party Committee’s inquiry has heard concerns about how the current licensing regime allows ‘cross-border licensing’, where a driver can apply for licence at a licensing authority regardless of where in the country they operate.
As well as questions about regulation and enforcement, MPs will be interested to hear about how improvements could be made to the rights of drivers and their working conditions, and strengthening standards for passenger safety and accessibility.
A second panel of witnesses from the voluntary and local government sectors will also consider passenger safety, accessibility, information-sharing, and the case for a national licensing database.
During its inquiry into the accessibility of transport services, the Committee heard evidence of some private-hire vehicles being inaccessible to people with mobility issues, or drivers refusing service to passengers with assistance dogs.