Improving safety for taxi and PHV passengers

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Consultation has concluded

Update 12 December 2023 

Following our consultationa number of changes to the taxi and private hire licensing requirements are being introduced. Our focus has been on Part 1 of the consultation, so that we can be fully compliant with the DfT’s Statutory Taxi and PHV Standards as soon as possible. Parts 2 and 3 will be considered separately. 

Part 1 

We are proceeding with the proposals in Part 1 of the consultation, but with amendments to two of the proposals: 

  • DfT1: Licensee self-reporting – we have amended this to include the requirement to inform us of cautions, as well as any arrest and release, charge or conviction of any offence, within 48 hours. The inclusion of cautions makes this consistent with our current requirement.  

  • DfT3: Overseas convictions – we have amended this from the original consultation proposal and will only require a Certificate of Good Conduct (CoGC) from taxi drivers, PHV drivers and PHV operators who have been outside of the UK for three or more continuous months in the last 10 years since they were 18Periods of extended holiday outside of the UK will be included 

Information about the licensing requirement changes and when they will be introduced is available in TPH Notice 07/23 - Improving Safety for Taxi and PHV Passengers.  

We will now begin developing detailed guidance for licensees to support the industry in preparing for these changes. This guidance will be shared with licensees when it becomes available. 

We have now published our report on our Response to Issues Raised with us during the consultation 

Parts 2 and 3 

We intend to consider the responses in relation to Parts 2 and 3 of the consultation in early 2024 and will communicate the next steps and any recommendations separately.  



Update 22 September 2023

This consultation has closed. 

We have now completed our analysis of the consultation replies and our report on the consultation is now available. We will use the outcomes of this consultation to consider whether we will make any changes to our proposals.  

The consultation was split into three parts. We are initially focussing on Part 1 so that, where appropriate, we can be fully compliant with the Department for Transport’s Statutory Taxi and PHV Standards as soon as possible. 

We aim to provide an update on our Part 1 proposals later in Autumn 2023 and this will include a response to the issues that were raised in this consultation. We will use the consultation feedback to review Parts 2 and 3 following that.



Update 01 June 2023

The consultation has now closed. Thank you to those of you that took part. We are now reviewing all the responses and using these to finalise our proposals. We are aiming to publish the consultation report and next steps later in the Summer.



Overview

We are reviewing taxi (black cab) and private hire (including minicab) licensing in London to improve passenger safety.  

We are proposing 19 changes to improve safety and safeguarding for all passengers, especially children and vulnerable adults.

We want to hear your views on how our proposals would impact you and any alternative suggestions you have. You have until 12 May 2023 to share your feedback.

Why are we proposing changes to taxi and private hire licensing?

What are we proposing?

How could the changes affect taxi and PHV passengers?

How can you find out more?

Tell us your views

What happens next?



Why are we proposing changes to taxi and private hire licensing?

In July 2020, the Department for Transport (DfT) set out new standards to protect taxi (black cab) and private hire vehicle (PHV) passengers. Although the focus is on protecting children and vulnerable adults, all passengers will benefit.

The Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards (‘Standards’) are the result of detailed discussions with the taxi trade, regulators, safety campaign groups and a public consultation. That is why we are not consulting on the Standards.

Most of the Standards are already in place here in London. But there are 10 we still need to comply with. We are consulting on how we propose to implement these remaining Standards.

We also continually review our policies and requirements to see what else we could do to improve taxi and PHV passenger safety and standards more widely. We are proposing nine additional proposals and reviewing a further four areas, that we believe will build on the DfT’s Standards. We would welcome your feedback on these.

You may notice some differences in what we propose between taxi and PHV services – this is in part due to the different legislative powers we have.

What are we proposing?

Our consultation is split into three parts. The table below provides an overview, including which licensees they affect. Please click on each Part to see further details.

PartWhat it coversWhich licensees will the proposals affect?

Part 1



How we propose to introduce the new DfT Standards, including ten proposals to:

  • Improve criminal record checks and requirements
  • Assess taxi drivers’ safety, equality and regulatory understanding
  • Make improvements to records PHV operators must keep
  • Taxi drivers
  • Taxi owners
  • Private Hire vehicle (PHV) operators
  • PHV drivers
  • PHV owners

Part 2




Part two is seeking your suggestions on how we can make taxis safer. We would like your ideas for how passengers could check if taxi drivers and taxis are licensed in advance of their trip.

  • Taxi drivers
  • Taxi vehicle owners

Part 3



Nine extra proposals to make PHV services safer to use including:

  • New and enhanced requirements for operators, covering the records PHV operators must keep and how complaints are managed

In addition to the proposals, we are seeking your views on whether we need to consider licensing changes in these areas:

  • Public liability insurance requirements
  • Ridesharing; and
  • The licensing conditions for different sized PHV operators
  • PHV operators


How could the changes affect taxi and PHV passengers?

The focus of these changes is on protecting children and vulnerable adults, although all passengers are expected to benefit. The proposals should reduce the risk of crime and also make it easier for passengers to report problems with taxi and private hire services.

However, there is a risk that the proposals will create additional costs or barriers which may affect the number of licensed taxi and PHV drivers. This could have some negative impacts for passengers including:

  • Some taxi fares could increase
  • Some PHV fares could increase
  • People may have to wait longer for a taxi or PHV

You can find a full assessment of the impacts of the proposals in our independent Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA).

How can you find out more?

Background Information

We have provided more information to help you respond. Visit the Documents section for:

  • Our response to the DfT’s Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards
  • An Integrated Impact Assessment on our proposals
  • A Data Protection Impact Assessment on relevant proposals
  • Factsheet on Our role in licensing and regulating taxi and PHV services

The DfT also recommended that licensing authorities should consult on the use of in-vehicle CCTV in taxis and PHVs. We carried out this consultation in February 2021. We continue to monitor developments in this space and are considering our next steps.

Making the information accessible 

We want this consultation to be accessible to everyone. So you can find:

  • Easy Read versions and British Sign Language (BSL) videos of our consultation and consultation survey
  • A copy of our consultation survey in case you would prefer to respond offline

If you need to translate this page into another language, please use the ‘Select language’ button in the bottom-left hand corner of this page

What happens next?

Once the consultation ends on 12 May 2023, we will consider all the responses we receive and will prepare a consultation report.

The consultation report will help us reach a decision about how licensing requirements may change.

The consultation report will be available to everyone that takes part in the consultation and will be published on our website.

Update 12 December 2023 

Following our consultationa number of changes to the taxi and private hire licensing requirements are being introduced. Our focus has been on Part 1 of the consultation, so that we can be fully compliant with the DfT’s Statutory Taxi and PHV Standards as soon as possible. Parts 2 and 3 will be considered separately. 

Part 1 

We are proceeding with the proposals in Part 1 of the consultation, but with amendments to two of the proposals: 

  • DfT1: Licensee self-reporting – we have amended this to include the requirement to inform us of cautions, as well as any arrest and release, charge or conviction of any offence, within 48 hours. The inclusion of cautions makes this consistent with our current requirement.  

  • DfT3: Overseas convictions – we have amended this from the original consultation proposal and will only require a Certificate of Good Conduct (CoGC) from taxi drivers, PHV drivers and PHV operators who have been outside of the UK for three or more continuous months in the last 10 years since they were 18Periods of extended holiday outside of the UK will be included 

Information about the licensing requirement changes and when they will be introduced is available in TPH Notice 07/23 - Improving Safety for Taxi and PHV Passengers.  

We will now begin developing detailed guidance for licensees to support the industry in preparing for these changes. This guidance will be shared with licensees when it becomes available. 

We have now published our report on our Response to Issues Raised with us during the consultation 

Parts 2 and 3 

We intend to consider the responses in relation to Parts 2 and 3 of the consultation in early 2024 and will communicate the next steps and any recommendations separately.  



Update 22 September 2023

This consultation has closed. 

We have now completed our analysis of the consultation replies and our report on the consultation is now available. We will use the outcomes of this consultation to consider whether we will make any changes to our proposals.  

The consultation was split into three parts. We are initially focussing on Part 1 so that, where appropriate, we can be fully compliant with the Department for Transport’s Statutory Taxi and PHV Standards as soon as possible. 

We aim to provide an update on our Part 1 proposals later in Autumn 2023 and this will include a response to the issues that were raised in this consultation. We will use the consultation feedback to review Parts 2 and 3 following that.



Update 01 June 2023

The consultation has now closed. Thank you to those of you that took part. We are now reviewing all the responses and using these to finalise our proposals. We are aiming to publish the consultation report and next steps later in the Summer.



Overview

We are reviewing taxi (black cab) and private hire (including minicab) licensing in London to improve passenger safety.  

We are proposing 19 changes to improve safety and safeguarding for all passengers, especially children and vulnerable adults.

We want to hear your views on how our proposals would impact you and any alternative suggestions you have. You have until 12 May 2023 to share your feedback.

Why are we proposing changes to taxi and private hire licensing?

What are we proposing?

How could the changes affect taxi and PHV passengers?

How can you find out more?

Tell us your views

What happens next?



Why are we proposing changes to taxi and private hire licensing?

In July 2020, the Department for Transport (DfT) set out new standards to protect taxi (black cab) and private hire vehicle (PHV) passengers. Although the focus is on protecting children and vulnerable adults, all passengers will benefit.

The Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards (‘Standards’) are the result of detailed discussions with the taxi trade, regulators, safety campaign groups and a public consultation. That is why we are not consulting on the Standards.

Most of the Standards are already in place here in London. But there are 10 we still need to comply with. We are consulting on how we propose to implement these remaining Standards.

We also continually review our policies and requirements to see what else we could do to improve taxi and PHV passenger safety and standards more widely. We are proposing nine additional proposals and reviewing a further four areas, that we believe will build on the DfT’s Standards. We would welcome your feedback on these.

You may notice some differences in what we propose between taxi and PHV services – this is in part due to the different legislative powers we have.

What are we proposing?

Our consultation is split into three parts. The table below provides an overview, including which licensees they affect. Please click on each Part to see further details.

PartWhat it coversWhich licensees will the proposals affect?

Part 1



How we propose to introduce the new DfT Standards, including ten proposals to:

  • Improve criminal record checks and requirements
  • Assess taxi drivers’ safety, equality and regulatory understanding
  • Make improvements to records PHV operators must keep
  • Taxi drivers
  • Taxi owners
  • Private Hire vehicle (PHV) operators
  • PHV drivers
  • PHV owners

Part 2




Part two is seeking your suggestions on how we can make taxis safer. We would like your ideas for how passengers could check if taxi drivers and taxis are licensed in advance of their trip.

  • Taxi drivers
  • Taxi vehicle owners

Part 3



Nine extra proposals to make PHV services safer to use including:

  • New and enhanced requirements for operators, covering the records PHV operators must keep and how complaints are managed

In addition to the proposals, we are seeking your views on whether we need to consider licensing changes in these areas:

  • Public liability insurance requirements
  • Ridesharing; and
  • The licensing conditions for different sized PHV operators
  • PHV operators


How could the changes affect taxi and PHV passengers?

The focus of these changes is on protecting children and vulnerable adults, although all passengers are expected to benefit. The proposals should reduce the risk of crime and also make it easier for passengers to report problems with taxi and private hire services.

However, there is a risk that the proposals will create additional costs or barriers which may affect the number of licensed taxi and PHV drivers. This could have some negative impacts for passengers including:

  • Some taxi fares could increase
  • Some PHV fares could increase
  • People may have to wait longer for a taxi or PHV

You can find a full assessment of the impacts of the proposals in our independent Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA).

How can you find out more?

Background Information

We have provided more information to help you respond. Visit the Documents section for:

  • Our response to the DfT’s Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards
  • An Integrated Impact Assessment on our proposals
  • A Data Protection Impact Assessment on relevant proposals
  • Factsheet on Our role in licensing and regulating taxi and PHV services

The DfT also recommended that licensing authorities should consult on the use of in-vehicle CCTV in taxis and PHVs. We carried out this consultation in February 2021. We continue to monitor developments in this space and are considering our next steps.

Making the information accessible 

We want this consultation to be accessible to everyone. So you can find:

  • Easy Read versions and British Sign Language (BSL) videos of our consultation and consultation survey
  • A copy of our consultation survey in case you would prefer to respond offline

If you need to translate this page into another language, please use the ‘Select language’ button in the bottom-left hand corner of this page

What happens next?

Once the consultation ends on 12 May 2023, we will consider all the responses we receive and will prepare a consultation report.

The consultation report will help us reach a decision about how licensing requirements may change.

The consultation report will be available to everyone that takes part in the consultation and will be published on our website.

Consultation has concluded
  • Part 1 Proposals

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    The table below shows:

    • The reference number for each of our proposals – please make sure you include the reference number when commenting on a proposal
    • Each of the 10 DfT’s Statutory Taxi and PHV Standards covered in our consultation
    • Our proposals for implementing the Standards

    You can find further information on our proposals in the Part 1 Factsheet. The factsheet includes the supporting information which explains each proposal in more detail.

    Reference DfT Standard states Our proposals
    DfT 1: Licensee self-reporting

    Licence holders should be required to notify the issuing authority within 48 hours of an arrest and release, charge or conviction of any sexual offence, any offence involving dishonesty or violence and any motoring offence.

    An arrest for any of the offences within this scope should result in a review by the issuing authority as to whether the licence holder is fit to continue to do so.

    We propose to:

    • Prescribe a licence condition that will require all taxi drivers to inform us of any arrest and release, charge or conviction of any offence within 48 hours. This prescribed condition will apply to all licensed taxi drivers with immediate effect
    • Attach a condition to every PHV driver licence issued on or after the implementation date that the licence holder informs us of any arrest and release, charge or conviction of any offence within 48 hours. The condition will be applied to all PHV drivers over the three-year renewal cycle
    • Amend the regulation that requires PHV operators to notify us of convictions within 14 days to state 48 hours and extend the requirement to include “arrest and release, charge, caution or conviction”
    Please note that our proposals for taxi and PHV drivers are different because of differences in taxi and PHV legislation.
    DfT 2: Complaints against licensees

    Ways to make complaints to the authority should be displayed in all licensed vehicles.

    Licensing authorities must ensure that drivers are aware of a requirement to display information on how to complain and take appropriate sanctions against those that do not comply with this requirement.

    We propose to:

    • Require all taxis and PHVs to display signage that will include information on how to make a complaint to TfL alongside other statutory and important safety information
    • Prescribe a condition that will require every taxi driver to ensure that the taxi they are driving is displaying the signage. This prescribed condition will apply to all licensed taxi drivers with immediate effect
    • Attach a condition to every PHV driver licence issued on or after the implementation date that the PHV they are driving is displaying the signage
    Please note that our proposals for taxi and PHV drivers are different because of differences in taxi and PHV legislation.
    DfT 3: Overseas convictions Licensing authorities should seek or require applicants to provide where possible criminal records information or a ‘Certificate of Good Character’ from overseas in this circumstance to properly assess risk and support the decision-making process. It is the character of the applicant as an adult that is of particular interest, therefore an extended period outside the UK before the age of 18 may be less relevant.

    We propose to change our current Certificate of Good Conduct (CoGC) requirements and require from applicants for a taxi driver, PHV operator and PHV driver licence a CoGC to cover any periods outside the UK since the applicant was 18.

    When renewing, taxi drivers and PHV drivers will have to declare any further extended periods when they have lived overseas for three or more continuous months since they were 18, and then obtain a CoGC accordingly.

    An ‘extended period’ will be three or more continuous months.
    DfT 4: Driver DBS checks

    All individuals applying for or renewing a taxi or PHV driver’s licence should be subject to an enhanced DBS check and a check of the children and adult Barred lists.

    All licensed drivers should also be required to evidence continuous registration with the DBS update service to enable the licensing authority to routinely check for new information every six months. Drivers that do not subscribe to the Update Service should still be subject to a check every six months.


    We propose to amend our existing DBS requirements and:

    • To introduce an application requirement that requires all applicants for a taxi driver’s or PHV driver’s licence, both new and renewal, to provide evidence of registration with the DBS Update service
    • To introduce a licence condition that once licensed, all taxi drivers and PHV drivers maintain continuous registration with the DBS Update service
    • That once taxi drivers and PHV drivers have registered with the Update service, we will undertake six monthly checks with the DBS
    DfT 5: Safeguarding training and English language skills

    All licensing authorities should require taxi and PHV drivers to undertake safeguarding training.

    A lack of language proficiency could impact on a driver’s ability to understand written documents, such as policies and guidance, relating to the protection of children and vulnerable adults and applying this to identify and act on signs of exploitation.

    Oral proficiency will be of relevance in the identification of potential exploitation through communicating with passengers and their interaction with others. A licensing authority’s test of a driver’s proficiency should cover both oral and written English language skills to achieve the objectives above.

    We have considered the safeguarding training and English language standards together and will be delivering them as part of a comprehensive package of taxi driver and PHV driver assessments.

    We’ve already introduced online safeguarding awareness training for all taxi and PHV drivers.

    PHV drivers

    For PHV drivers we have already introduced a safety, equality and regulatory understanding assessment and an English language requirement.

    Taxi drivers

    We propose to introduce a mandatory safety, equality and regulatory understanding assessment for all new and renewing taxi drivers.

    We will continue to monitor the speaking and listening skills taxi drivers demonstrate when completing the Knowledge to ensure that London taxi drivers’ English skills meet the objectives in the Standards.

    If there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the Knowledge of London does not demonstrate taxi drivers’ English speaking and listening skills, we propose to introduce a separate speaking and listening test similar to that undertaken by applicants for PHV driver licences.

    We are interested in your views on whether taxi drivers’ speaking and listening skills meet the objectives in the DfT’s Standards or whether further assessment is necessary.

    The safety, equality and regulatory understanding assessment will be used to determine new and renewing taxi drivers’ reading and writing skills.
    DfT 6: Vehicle owner DBS checks

    Licensing authorities should require a basic disclosure from the DBS [for taxi vehicle and PHV licence applicants] and that a check is undertaken annually.

    Licensing authorities should consider whether an applicant or licence holder with a conviction for offences provided in the annex to this document (Annex – Assessment of previous convictions), other than those relating to driving, meet the ‘fit and proper’ threshold.

    An authority which undertakes the biannual DBS checks recommended for its drivers should not require those seeking to license a vehicle to provide a basic DBS check. Overseas checks to be considered where applicable.

    At this time we do not propose to introduce any additional requirements for either taxi or PHV owners.

    The proposal to undertake DBS checks and overseas checks on vehicle owners were not included in the DfT’s 2019 consultation on the draft Statutory Standards. Stakeholders have not therefore had the opportunity to comment on this in the final version of the Standards

    Given the unique nature of the London taxi and PHV market, we would like to understand your views as to the effectiveness of requiring London taxi and PHV owners, both renewals and new applicants, to provide:
    • a basic DBS certificate and that a check is undertaken annually and a Certificate of Good Conduct to cover any periods of three or more continuous months spent outside the UK since the applicant was 18.
    DfT 7: PHV operator DBS checks

    Licensing authorities should require a basic disclosure from the DBS [for PHV operator licence applicants] and that a check is undertaken annually.

    Licensing authorities should consider whether an applicant or licence holder with a conviction for offences provided in the annex to this document (Annex – Assessment of previous convictions), other than those relating to driving, meet the ‘fit and proper’ threshold.


    We propose:

    • To introduce a new licence condition that will require all existing licensed PHV operators to provide a basic DBS check each year within 28 days of the anniversary of the licence issue date
    • To require all new applicants for a PHV operator’s licence to provide a basic DBS certificate annually
    • That all basic DBS checks are obtained through our service provider
    DfT 8: PHV Operator booking and dispatch staff
    Licensing authorities should, as a condition of granting an operator licence, require a register of all staff that will take bookings or dispatch vehicles.

    Operators should be required to evidence that they have had sight of a Basic DBS check on all individuals listed on their register of booking and dispatch staff

    When individuals start taking bookings and dispatching vehicles for an operator they should be required, as part of their employment contract, to advise the operator of any convictions while they are employed in this role.

    Licensing authorities should also require operators or applicants for a licence to provide their policy on employing ex-offenders in roles that would be on the register as above.
    We propose:

    • To prescribe a new licence condition that all PHV operators must keep a register of booking and dispatch staff
    • That the information that must be included in the register will include name, date of birth, and reference number and date of DBS check
    • To require all new and renewing applicants for a PHV operator licence to provide their policy on employing ex-offenders with their application
    DfT 9: PHV operator booking records

    Licensing authorities should as a minimum require PHV operators to record the following information for each booking:

    • the name of the passenger;
    • the time of the request;
    • the pick-up point;
    • the destination;
    • the name of the driver;
    • the driver’s licence number;
    • the vehicle registration number of the vehicle;
    • the name of any individual that responded to the booking request;
    • the name of any individual that dispatched the vehicle.

    PHV operators are already required to record most of this information when accepting a booking.

    We propose to amend the existing PHV operator booking record requirement to:

    • Include the name of any individual that responded to the booking request and the name of any individual that dispatched the vehicle
    • Specify that the booking records must record the driver’s PHV licence number
    • Specify that the booking records must record the vehicle registration mark (VRM) of the vehicle

    DfT 10: Changing licensing policies and requirements
    Any changes in licensing requirements should be followed by a review of the licences already issued.

    We are proposing:

    • Wherever possible, we propose to apply any new licensing policies immediately, but the differences in taxi and PHV legislation may require different approaches to taxi and PHV licensees
    • That where appropriate, when there are changes in licensing requirements, we will review the licences already issued
    In order to re-assess licensees’ fitness if there are changes in licensing requirements, we are proposing that for taxi drivers and PHV drivers we retain the DBS certificates where information is recorded so we are aware of any criminal history that it disclosed.




  • Part 2 Proposals

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    Part 2 of our consultation is seeking views on what further measures we might consider to improve the safety of taxi passengers:

    • We would like views on how we can reduce the risk of unlicensed vehicles or drivers carrying passengers in London.
    • We would like to understand how we can best enable taxi passengers to quickly and easily reassure themselves that any taxi vehicle or driver seeking to carry passengers is appropriately licensed before the passenger enters the vehicle.

    We have been exploring a number of ideas to deliver on this aim which are still under consideration. However we are not consulting on any specific proposals at this time. Instead, we would like your ideas on how we can ensure only licensed taxi drivers and licensed vehicles are operating in London. We will use the feedback received from this consultation to determine whether we develop proposals in this area.

    What is currently in place?

    So as to assist in considering any additional measures, it is helpful to understand what is currently in place. London taxi drivers must wear their metal badge while working which displays their badge number and indicates whether they are an All London or Suburban driver. Below is an All London taxi driver’s badge and a Suburban taxi driver’s badge.

    Image of All London taxi driver's badge Image of Suburban driver's badge


    Taxi drivers are also currently required to carry with them the copy version of their taxi driver’s licence, which contains their photo, but this is not displayed or visible to passengers.

    Taxi drivers are also required to display taxi driver licence identifiers in the front and rear windscreens of their taxis which display the driver’s badge number and licence area. Below is an All London taxi driver licence identifier and a Suburban taxi driver licence identifier.

    Image of All London licence Image of Suburban licence

    At present, there is no electronic means for a passenger to be able to check whether a taxi driver or vehicle is licensed with TfL. Passengers would need to call TfL to be able to obtain this information. This differs from private hire services where drivers and vehicles can be checked easily and quickly using our online PHV licence checker.

    We’re interested in your views.

    What else do you think we could do that would help taxi passengers to:

    • Quickly and easily check that any taxi vehicle or driver is licensed
    • Be able to check details before they enter the vehicle
  • Part 3 Proposals

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    Part 3 of our consultation covers:

    • Proposed changes to some of the licence conditions and requirements that apply to all licensed PHV operators
    • Proposals for new licensing conditions and requirements that would apply to all PHV operators
    • Areas where we are seeking views but are not proposing changes at this stage

    The table below shows:

    • The reference number for each of our proposals – please make sure you include the reference number when commenting on a proposal
    • Our proposals
    • What we want to know

    You can find further information on our proposals in the Part 3 factsheet. The factsheet includes the supporting information which explains each proposal in more detail.

    Reference Proposal What we want to know
    Op1: Reporting convictions

    We propose to change the time PHV operators have to notify us of convictions from 14 days to 48 hours.

    We are also proposing to extend the requirement to cover being arrested and released, charged, and cautioned as well as convicted.
    For all of the proposals in Part 3 we want to know if:
    • You support our proposals.
    • You think there are any issue with our proposal
    • Where timescales to take action are proposed, where these are appropriate

    We propose that within 48 hours of receiving a safety related complaint about a PHV driver, a PHV operator should:

    • Assess whether it is necessary to suspend or remove that driver account pending further inquiries
    • Notify us if they have suspended or removed a PHV driver
    Op3: Lost property We propose that PHV operators will be required to make reasonable attempts to contact the owners of the lost property, where the owner is known and can be contacted.
    Op4: Complaints information
    We propose that booking confirmations from PHV operators will have to include information on how passengers can make a complaint to TfL and the operator.
    Op5: Operating model changes
    We propose that PHV operators must notify us of any material changes to their operating model at least 28 days before the change is made.
    Op6: Complaints records
    We propose that PHV operators will have to retain complaints records for three years instead of 12 months.
    Op7: Data breaches
    We propose that all PHV operators would be required to notify TfL within 72 hours of all data breaches, material data losses or infringements of data protection law affecting the data of UK drivers and/or customers, whether those incidents occur in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.
    Op8: Document checks

    We propose that all PHV operators must have in place and make use of appropriate checks to:

    • Verify that all documents provided by PHV drivers are legitimate
    • Confirm documents relate to the PHV driver providing them
    • Verify that all documents (e.g. licence, insurance, etc.) provided by PHV owners are legitimate
    • Confirm PHV documents relate to the relevant vehicle
    The checks will need to be carried out when a PHV driver or PHV is first registered with a PHV operator and then ongoing checks will be required once the driver or vehicle are available to the PHV operator to fulfil bookings.
    Op9: Licence checks

    We propose that all PHV operators should:

    • Regularly and frequently check the validity of PHV driver and PHV licences before making the driver and vehicle available to carry out private hire bookings
    • Use a TfL platform such as the licence checker (or similar) to carry out the checks

    Areas we are keeping under review
    Op10: Public liability insurance
    Public liability insurance

    We are not proposing to remove the requirement for public liability insurance but we are interested in whether you think the current minimum of £5 million for public liability insurance is still appropriate?

    Op11: Ridesharing
    Ridesharing
    Should there be additional licensing requirements or conditions for all PHV operators who offer ridesharing services?
    Op12: Conditions for larger PHV operators
    Different conditions for PHV operators depending on the tier they are licensed in
    Do you have any views on there being additional conditions for PHV operators in the larger tiers?