Back in 2014, clause 10 was dropped from the deregulation bill that went through parliament. 

This would reflect the view that all over the UK, (except in London according to TfL) there is a massive public safety issue, and that only licensed private hire drivers should be driving licensed private hire vehicles. 

Unfortunately for the traveling public in, TfL say that anyone can currently drive a private hire minicab around the capital, whether they are licensed or not. 

This includes people who just want to avoid paying the congestion charge, but also (and even more worrying) dangerous sexual predators looking for fresh prey can purchase a TfL licensed minicab without holding a PH drivers licence.

Even though the Taxi trade have to have a purpose built vehicle, carrying both a registration number plate from the DVLA and also a TfL Hackney Carriage plate, plus we are also required to have our badge number emblazoned on the ID card identifying the driver. 

And yet, the most favoured method of a sexual predictor (namely a licensed minicab driven by an unlicensed driver) is only required to have an unreadable yellow disc, in most cases obscured by blacked out or tinted glass. 

Considering the security status we currently find ourselves in, it should be imperative that only TfL registered drivers should be allowed to drive minicabs. 

The PH drivers themselves should also be identifiable and should be matchable to a particular vehicle by means of their badge number, clearly displayed on front and rear windows.

If it's good enough for Taxis...then it's good enough for PH. 

TfL recently announced that PH driver numbers currently exceeded 117,000. A recent FOI request has shown that Sexual assaults including rapes in just Uber cars has increased by a record 50% on the previous year.

And yet our licensing authority seem more concerned with Taxi drivers, over ranking at main line stations. 

Compliance teams turn a blind eye to PH while in many cases are regularly overstepping their authority. 

Taxi Leaks have received recent complaints from drivers who say they have been told by COs at Euston, they are going to be reported for wearing their badges on lanyards that are too long. 

Many COs are refusing to show drivers their authorisation ID cards, after show the driver just their sherif style badge (they are legally obliged to show their ID). 

Driver have also been asked to unscrew their insurance cover notes so COs can examine more closely.

This is totally ridiculous behaviour from COs and totally unacceptable.   

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