The Public Law Team are currently working on a law reform project regarding taxi and private hire services. They are publishing a consultation paper, which is available online at www.lawcom.gov.uk, along with an electronic version of the summary and further details about the project. The consultation period will run for 3 months and a report and bill will be publlished by November 2013.

The proposals are related to the distinction between taxis which can advertise for hire on the street or via a taxi rank, and private hire vehicles which can only be pre-booked. The proposals will look at national safety standards for private hire vehicles and will replace the 340 sets of local regulations. Having a national safety framework will mean that once appropriately licensed private hire firms will be able to work freely across the country, rather than just in one geographical region. The proposals will also look at wider issues such as improving provision for people with disabilities, quanity restrictions and enforcement.