Posted on the 19th September 2025 in PHTM News
NEW RULES FOR MONMOUTHSHIRE TAXI DRIVERS ON CRIMINAL RECORDS AND CCTV CONSIDERED
Monmouthshire County Council is set to consult on a new policy for taxi and private hire drivers that includes stricter rules on criminal record checks for those with overseas residency and clarified guidelines for using CCTV and dash cameras.
The proposed changes, which were brought to the council's taxi and regulatory committee, aim to align with updated national standards from the Department of Transport.
Under the new rules, anyone applying for a taxi driver's licence who has lived outside the UK for a total of six months or more since the age of 18 will be required to provide a criminal record check from each country they have resided in.
Some committee members raised concerns that the policy could disproportionately affect applicants from other countrieshaving to provide paperwork which could create significant barriers.
Despite these concerns, the policy outlines a process for applicants who are unable to provide the necessary documents, stating they will be required to appear before a licensing panel for a risk assessment.
In addition to the new criminal record checks, the policy clarifies rules surrounding the use of CCTV and dashboard cameras.
While not mandatory, the council recommends their use and has established new guidelines for those who choose to install them. These include verbally informing passengers, including those who are visually impaired, that they are being recorded.
Audio recording will also be permitted but can only be activated by a "panic button" pressed by either the driver or a passenger.
Drivers and firms will be designated as "data controllers," responsible for the storage of recordings and required to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
According to licensing officer Taylor Watts, it's not believed that any taxis in Monmouthshire currently have CCTV installed.
The committee ultimately approved the policy for a consultation period from September 22 to October 21.
A final report will be presented to the committee on December 9, with the intention of adopting the policy on January 1.
Read another story
- BOLT’S UK PROFIT PLUMMETS AMID COSTLY LEGAL BATTLES
New accounts filed with Companies House show a pre-tax profit of just £133,355 for the year, a drastic drop from the £8.2 million recorded in 2023.
- UBER SEEKS TO EXPAND INTO NORTH LINCS BUT WOULD REQUIRE REMOVAL OF LANDLINE BARRIER
Uber is in discussions with North Lincolnshire Council about launching its ride-sharing service in the area, a move that could see the local authority update its taxi licensing rules.
- HIGHLAND COUNCIL CONSIDERS DOUBLING TAXI LUGGAGE FEE
Under the draft plans, the fee for luggage would rise from £5 to £10.
- LUTON TAXI DRIVER LOSES REVOCATION APPEAL AFTER LOCKING PASSENGER IN CAB
Mohammad Razak had his hackney cab licence stripped in October 2024 after he locked a lone female passenger inside his vehicle, refusing to let her out until she paid a higher fare.
- ADCU RESPONDS TO UBER'S EVIDENCE TO THE TRANSPORT COMMITTEE'S INQUIRY INTO TAXI LICENSING
Cristina-Georgiana Ioanitescu, President of ADCU, comments: “The submission is a one-way street, controlled by Uber, with no space on the road for the PHV drivers that are the industry’s lifeblood.
- CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COUNCIL CARRIES THE WEIGHT OF A NATIONAL FREE FOR ALL
Cllr Simon Bennett, leader of Wolverhampton's Conservative opposition group, claims that the city is paying the price for a 'national free for all' when it came to issuing taxi licences.
- POLICE APPEAL AFTER CABBIE FINDS MAN COVERED IN BLOOD IN WARRINGTON TOWN CENTRE
A man was found "covered in blood" and unconscious on the floor in Warrington after a serious assault on Friday, September 12.
- MAN AND WOMAN IN JAIL AFTER KNIFE ROBBERY OF TAXI DRIVER IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE
The terrifying incident took place on September 9 of last year, when Mark Doyle, 36, and Jamie Lee Black, 29, booked a taxi shortly after 1am.
- TAMWORTH COUNCILLOR CALLS FOR UK WIDE UNIFORM LICENSING OR BAN ON OUT OF AREA TAXIS
The council has voted to write to the Government to express its concerns and demand regulatory reform in a move it said would protect passengers.
- ROCHFORD COUNCIL CONSIDERS EXPANDING TAXI RANK NEAR RAYLEIGH STATION TO IMPROVE SAFETY
The proposal, which calls for eight or nine taxi bays at The Approach Car Park, was part of a discussion during a Rochford Council meeting regarding a £96,000 car park revamp.
- NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL CONSIDERS MANDATORY CCTV FOR TAXIS
The discussion was prompted by The Casey Report, which audited practices for preventing child sexual exploitation and suggested making CCTV compulsory in all taxis.
- YORK POLICE SEEK INFORMATION AFTER TAXI DAMAGED IN CITY CENTRE
The criminal damage and public order offence took place on Monday, September 8, at approximately 1:30pm, at the taxi rank in Duncombe Place.
- ELMBRIDGE BC INVESTIGATES UBER ACTIVITY AT WEYBRIDGE STATION
Local drivers report months of loitering and illegal parking by Uber vehicles—waiting for work, occupying the rank and with TfL?licensed Uber vehicles parked inside the car parks.
- BRISTOL AIRPORT SEARCHES FOR FIVE-YEAR TAXI FIRM PARTNER
The successful provider has been promised a 'premium taxi office location' close to the terminal. The airport has also offered advertising support for the winning bid.
- CUMBRIAN TAXI BOSS FEARS FOR FUTURE AS COUNCIL GRANTS UBER LICENCE
The decision, which will allow Uber to operate directly in the south Cumbria area, has been met with anger from independent operators.
- INDEPENDENT CAB DRIVERS' PETITION AGAINST PROPOSED BOURNEMOUTH STATION TAXI RANK LEASE
The Bournemouth Taxi Rank Association, representing around 100 hackney drivers, has launched a petition against South Western Railway in response to the reported plan.
- PUBLIC TO HAVE A SAY IN DERBY PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE AGE LIMIT
The 12-week consultation was approved by the city council's licensing committee following pushback from private hire drivers over a "too strict" new policy.
- BOLTON COUNCIL REVOKES TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE CITING PUBLIC SAFETY RISKS
The committee was presented with a history of misconduct, including a recent assault charge involving the driver’s daughter.
- NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL BANS TAXI DRIVER OVER TERRIFYING INCIDENT WITH VULNERABLE GIRL
The girl, Lottie Turner, was a passenger in an A1 Cars taxi on Wednesday, September 10, when the driver made an unauthorised stop to pick up a second, "vulnerable" man.
- KIRKLEES CABBIES DEMAND ANSWERS AS MILLIONS OF POUNDS UNACCOUNTED FOR
The issue was brought to a head during a September 15 meeting of Kirklees Council’s Licensing and Safety Committee, which was set to vote on a fee increase for hackney and private hire licences.
All content Copyright © 2025
Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Limited