What the Government is Exploring
The Department for Transport is considering a regionalisation model that would merge existing local licensing areas into fewer, larger authorities responsible for taxi and PHV licensing, oversight, and enforcement. This proposal comes after years of concern about fragmented regulations, inconsistent standards, and the growing issue of app-based operators using licences from distant councils to operate across wide regions of England.
With the government actively reshaping taxi and PHV regulations, operators must be prepared to adapt quickly and maintain full compliance. As the government implements these changes, it is essential to keep your dispatch system updated. Using Cabcher Dispatch Software can help ensure your operations remain compliant and efficient. A modern, adaptable dispatch platform becomes essential when regulations evolve. Cabcher not only enables you to stay aligned with new regional licensing rules, but also gives you real-time operational visibility, automated compliance checks, and flexible configuration options that can be quickly updated as policies change.
With a centralised system like Cabcher, you can streamline driver onboarding, maintain accurate documentation, monitor licensing statuses, and ensure that all trips are handled within the permitted operating zones. This reduces the risk of penalties, improves driver accountability, and strengthens trust with passengers and authorities.
Additionally, Cabcher’s scalable architecture ensures that whether your business operates in a single region or across multiple newly formed licensing areas, you can seamlessly manage bookings, dispatching, and reporting without disruption. If you want, I can make this even more formal, concise, or tailored to a marketing article — just tell me the tone you need.
Why Regional Licensing Is on the Table
A key driver behind the proposal is the ongoing controversy over cross-border hiring, where vehicles licensed in one district regularly work in another with very limited local control. Policymakers and parts of the industry argue that larger regional licensing areas could help reduce loopholes, bring more consistency, and strengthen the ability of authorities to enforce rules fairly and effectively.
What Regional Plates Might Look Like
If England moves to roughly 70 licensing bodies, traditional council-by-council plates could give way to regional plates that cover wider geographic areas. In the North West, for example, commentators suggest models such as a single Merseyside-wide plate for Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, Sefton and St Helens, or a Greater Manchester plate replacing today’s individual district licences, with the possibility of even larger “super-regions” if the Government opts for broader coverage.
Potential Benefits and Risks for the Trade
For drivers and operators, a streamlined licensing map could mean clearer, more unified rules, less cross-border confusion, and potentially stronger, more professional enforcement. However, larger authorities might also introduce tougher compliance expectations, higher fees, or more complex administrative processes, depending on how any new regional bodies are designed and funded.
What Happens Next
At this stage, the restructuring is at an exploratory stage, and no public consultation has yet been released by the Department for Transport. Even so, the fact that regionalisation is under active consideration signals genuine momentum behind reforms that many in the taxi and private hire sector have been calling for over several years, meaning drivers, operators and local councils will be watching closely for further detail.
Impact on Local Councils and Existing Licensing Teams
If regionalisation moves forward, many local councils may see their current licensing powers transferred to larger governing bodies. This could reshape staffing structures, enforcement responsibilities, and decision-making processes. Councils that previously operated independently might have to align their policies, technology systems, and compliance standards with neighbouring authorities, which could lead to transitional challenges and administrative delays.
How Operators Should Prepare for Possible Regionalisation
Operators may need to review their internal systems, documentation, and compliance practices to ensure they can adapt quickly if regional licensing becomes a reality. This includes maintaining digital records, ensuring vehicle and driver data remain accurate, and adopting dispatch software — such as Cabcher — that can handle multi-area rules, fare structures, and enforcement requirements. Preparing early can minimise disruption once reforms are announced.
Possible Technology Requirements Under New Licensing Bodies
Larger regional authorities may push for more standardised technology solutions, including data-sharing platforms, real-time compliance monitoring, and integrated enforcement systems. Operators without modern dispatch or booking software may struggle to meet new digital expectations. Tools that support reporting, verification, and automated compliance tracking will likely become essential rather than optional.
What Drivers Should Be Aware Of
For drivers, regionalisation could mean changes in where they are allowed to work, how far they can legally operate, and what compliance checks they need to undergo. They may face new training requirements, updated vehicle inspection criteria, or changes in how renewals are processed. Staying informed and ensuring they meet all regulatory updates will be crucial to avoiding penalties or disruptions to their livelihoods.