Response to the Department for Transport Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards

The purpose of the Statutory Standards is to protect children and vulnerable adults, and by extension the wider public, when using taxis and private hire vehicles. Therefore, whilst the focus of the Statutory Standards is on protecting children and vulnerable adults, all passengers will benefit from the recommendations. As such, the Department for Transport expects these recommendations to be implemented unless there is a compelling local reason not to. 

The guidance sets out a framework of policies that licensing authorities "must have regard" to when exercising their functions in relation to taxi licensing. These functions include developing, implementing and reviewing taxi and private hire licensing regimes. In St Helens, the Licensing Authority has already undertaken significant work to introduce a number of policies and procedures to taxi licensing to improve public safety and, as such, many of the Statutory Standards have already been implemented; however, the guidance provides the opportunity to further strengthen the current licensing regime. 

The guidance states that in the interest of transparency, all Licensing Authorities should publish their consideration of the measures contained in Statutory Standards, and the policies and delivery plans that stem from these. 

The proposed response for St Helens which sets out the consideration of the Standards and the proposed action of the Licensing Authority can be viewed here. (PDF) [771KB]