Portsmouth Taxi Rules Are Getting a Major Update

Big changes are coming to how taxis and private hire cars (like Uber) are regulated in Portsmouth. The city council’s Licensing Committee has reviewed a public consultation and is recommending a series of updates to align local rules with national best practice guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT). If approved, the new policy will start on 1 April 2026.

What Sparked the Changes?

The council ran a public consultation from August to October 2025, asking drivers, operators, customers, and community groups for their views. They received 767 responses, and the data showed strong public support for many of the proposed updates. The main goal of all the changes is to improve public safety and accessibility.

Why This Matters for You

Whether you use a taxi regularly, rely on one due to a disability, or are considering becoming a driver, these changes will affect the service you receive or the job you do. The updates focus on making services more inclusive, ensuring drivers know the city well, and improving vehicle safety checks.

Key Changes with Public Backing

1. Better Training for Accessibility

To make taxi services more welcoming for everyone, the council proposes:

• Mandatory Disability Awareness Training: All taxi and private hire drivers would need to complete this training. Over 69% of consultation respondents supported this.
• Training for Operators & Staff: Private hire companies would also need to ensure their customer-facing staff complete equivalent training. About 72% supported this requirement.
• Inclusive Service Plan: Operators will need to develop a clear plan showing how they will provide an accessible service. More than 83% of people agreed this is important.

2. Bringing Back Local Knowledge Tests

Portsmouth stopped requiring taxi drivers to pass a local knowledge (topographical) test in 2023 because of GPS. But the consultation showed 78% of people think local knowledge is still crucial for a good taxi service.

• The committee recommends reinstating these tests for hackney carriage (street-hailing) taxi drivers only. This is because they can be flagged down anywhere and need to know routes without pre-planning.
• Private hire drivers (booked via an app or office) will still not need this test, as their operators plan the routes and drivers use navigation systems.

3. Stricter Insurance for Private Hire Operators

To boost financial protection for the public, private hire operators would need to show proof of public liability insurance (or similar) of at least £5 million when they apply for a license and at each renewal. About 74% of respondents backed this move.

4. Daily Vehicle Safety Checks

To improve road safety, drivers would be required to complete a daily walkaround checklist of their vehicle before starting work. These checklists must be kept for at least 12 months and shown to council officers if asked. Around 71% of people supported this rule.

5. Keeping the Two-Year Driving Licence Rule

Portsmouth already requires new driver applicants to have held a full driving licence for at least two years (the national minimum is one year). The consultation found nearly 75% agreed this is the right amount of experience for professional drivers, so this rule will stay as it is.

What’s Not Changing?

Some rules will remain the same. The minimum driving experience requirement (two years) is confirmed to stay. The distinction between hackney carriage and private hire licensing—especially regarding local knowledge tests—will also be maintained.

How Much Will This Cost?

The council says the financial impact is limited. Any new costs for training, tests, or insurance will be paid for by the drivers or operators themselves, not the council. The changes are about setting higher standards, not funding them publicly.

Next Steps

The Licensing Committee will make a final decision on these recommendations on 20 February 2026. If they agree, all the new rules will become part of Portsmouth’s official licensing policy and come into force on 1 April 2026, bringing the city in line with the latest government advice.

Image Credit: www.taxi-point.co.uk