New campaign hopes to bring taxi and PH licensing back under local control.

The conversation around taxi and private hire licensing reform isn’t new. Drivers, operators, and licensing teams alike have been flagging issues with cross-border licensing for years. In our recent driver survey, nearly 80% of respondents stated that there was drivers licensed elsewhere working in their local areas.

But in recent weeks, the debate has taken a step forward. Greater Manchester’s Mayor, Andy Burnham, has launched a new campaign – Backing our taxis: Local. Licensed. Trusted – aimed at fixing what he describes as a “broken” licensing system.

Understanding the Challenges of Cross-Border Licensing

At the heart of the issue is how taxi and private hire licensing currently works in England. Outside of London, there are over 270 different licensing authorities, each responsible for setting their own standards on everything from vehicle checks to driver background screening.

On paper, that might make sense – local authorities, local rules. But in reality, the lack of national consistency has created a huge problem - namely, cross-border licensing– when a driver licensed in one area works in another where they haven't been vetted by the local council.

For licensing teams, this means limited enforcement powers. They can't take action against out-of-area drivers unless there's a serious incident, which makes day-to-day regulation almost impossible. For drivers, it can mean working hard to meet high local standards, only to be undercut by others who’ve picked up a licence from somewhere perceived to have less stringent checks.

Mayor Burnham’s Push for Local Licensing Powers

To address these long-standing problems, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has launched the Backing our taxis: Local. Licensed. Trusted campaign. His aim is simple: to give local authorities the power to properly regulate and enforce standards within their areas – including when it comes to cross-border work.

Burnham has been vocal about the strain the current system places on both the trade and the public. He’s argued that drivers are losing out due to unfair competition, licensing officers can’t do their jobs effectively, and passengers can’t always be confident in who’s behind the wheel.

Here’s what he had to say when launching the campaign:

“Taxis are a crucial part of our transport network. Just as we set out to with Bee Network buses, we want our taxi fleet to be amongst the safest and most trusted in the country. But we can’t do this with the current broken licensing system. Local leaders have zero oversight over nearly half the private hire vehicles on our streets, with no relationship with the drivers, no levers to enforce the standards we want and no control over the numbers of taxis serving our communities.

“We want to guarantee our residents that if they’re getting in a Greater Manchester taxi – no matter how they book it – it’s one that meets high standards we expect across all public transport. To do that, we need national change in the English Devolution Bill to both devolve taxi powers to city-regions and stop the ability for vehicles and drivers licensed in non-GM authorities to operate here. Such a change will give political leaders more control over measures that impact public safety, vehicle standards, emissions and accessibility.

“But this is as much about making Greater Manchester the best place to be a taxi driver – and safeguarding the livelihoods of our cab drivers – as it is about passengers. They’ve been under immense pressure over the last few years, and we want to get behind them.

“We’re today kickstarting in-depth discussions with the trade. We want to get under the bonnet of the issues that affect them, review how we can improve our own licensing and incentivise them to register here without dropping standards. We’re committed to doing what we can under the current system, but it will only be effective if it’s done in lockstep with change on out of area licensing at a national level.”

Greater Manchester has already introduced measures like minimum licensing standards and an ambitious Clean Air Plan – showing what local areas can do when given the tools. Now, Burnham is calling on the Government to devolve more powers so these standards can actually be enforced across borders.

First Political Support: Blackpool MP Backs the Campaign

For reform to happen, local calls need backing at the national level – and that support might finally be starting to build. Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, has become the first Member of Parliament to publicly support the campaign.

Benton has spoken out about the challenges that towns like Blackpool face when it comes to cross-border licensing. In seaside and tourist-heavy areas, the influx of out-of-area drivers is nothing new – and local licensing teams have long struggled to keep standards in check. His support signals growing recognition that this isn’t just a Greater Manchester issue – it’s a national one.

Having MPs on board could prove vital in getting the Government to take action. For drivers, it means the trade is finally being heard in Westminster. For licensing officers, it’s a potential step toward the enforcement powers they’ve been calling for.

And with other areas likely facing the same frustrations, Benton’s backing could well be the first of many.

Of course, real change won’t happen overnight. But with campaigners like Andy Burnham pushing the issue forward, and MPs like Scott Benton starting to lend their voices, there’s a sense that reform might actually be possible.