Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the removal of vehicle or operator taxi signage on trends in the levels of unlicensed taxi operators active on UK streets.

All taxis and private hire vehicles must be licensed to operate legally. The Government expects licensing authorities to undertake appropriate compliance and enforcement activity to deter illegal plying for hire by unlicensed drivers, and to raise public awareness of the risk of using unlicensed, uninsured and unvetted drivers and vehicles. The Government recently consulted on revised Best Practice Guidance for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities in England which included proposals on vehicle signage. The responses to this consultation are currently being analysed. The Government’s response to this consultation will be published in due course, along with the final version of the guidance.