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<p>The response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and
Private Hire Vehicle Licensing issued on 12 February committed to bring forward legislation
to enable national minimum standards in licensing, enable greater enforcement powers
for licensing officers and to establish a national licensing database to assist in
the sharing of relevant information. Legislation will be brought forward when time
allows.</p><p> </p><p>Taxis and private hire vehicle drivers are all subject to a
‘fit and proper’ assessment; any driver who poses a risk to public safety should not
be permitted to hold a licence. Drivers are permitted to undertake pre-booked work
outside of the area in which they are licensed. As set out in the Government’s response,
the Government will consider how restrictions on out-of-area journeys might work in
practice, with a view to legislating.</p><p> </p><p>The Government response to the
Task and Finish Group report explained that, since the Law Commission concluded in
2014 that a statutory definition of plying for hire would not be a practical improvement
on the current position and there being no change in the legal situation, the Government
would not take forward that recommendation.</p>
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