Worcester City Council is responsible for issuing licences in respect of drivers of hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles.
In July 2020, with a view to better protecting children, females and vulnerable adults, the Department for Transport (DFT) issued new statutory guidance to taxi and private hire licensing authorities, called the “Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Standards.” Statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards - GOV.UK.
These Standards set out a framework of policies that licensing authorities “must have regard to” when exercising their functions. These functions include developing, implementing, and reviewing their taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regimes.
In response, the council reviewed, consulted on, and published a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy which took effect on 1 September 2022.
Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policies | Worcestershire Regulatory Services.
The new policy introduced a requirement for any person applying to Worcester City District Council for a “NEW” driver’s licence, to undertake safeguarding awareness training.
Following a recent review of the policy, and having had further regard to the Statutory Standards, consideration is now being given to the introduction of “mandatory” safeguarding awareness training for ALL existing licence holders from 1st January 2025, with a further requirement to undertake refresher training every three years upon the renewal of their licence.
The Council would therefore like to hear the views from all relevant stakeholders on the above proposal of making safeguarding mandatory for all taxi drivers and introducing refresher upon the renewal of licence.
The Council would like to hear from:
- taxi and private hire vehicle trades members
- groups who use or represent customers of the taxi and private hire vehicle trade . This could include interest groups representing people with disabilities, Chambers of Commerce, organisations with a wider transport interest, women’s groups, local traders, and those organisations that represent the local multi-agency safeguarding arrangements. Night-time economy groups as the taxi and private hire trade is an important element of dispersal from the local night-time economy’s activities
- members of the local community who make use of taxi and private hire vehicle services in the area.
The results of the consultation will be reported to the Licensing and Environment Committee in October 2024 to help inform the Council’s decision about updates to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
The survey results will be statistical and will never contain your name or anything that could identify you. Your details will not be linked to your opinions in any way.
For full privacy information please see our associated Privacy Notice.