The government has confirmed plans to consult on whether CCTV should form part of national safety standards for taxis and private hire vehicles, in a response to MPs published on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
The House of Commons Transport Committee published the government's response to its June report on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, which examined inconsistent local regulation, safeguarding and the challenges of vehicles working outside the areas where they are licensed.
CCTV and passenger safety
Ministers have accepted the committee's recommendation to consult on mandatory in-vehicle CCTV. Any eventual requirement would need to consider the safety of passengers and drivers alongside privacy, data protection and the storage of recordings.
CCTV has not been made compulsory nationwide. The consultation will consider the evidence before ministers decide whether a national requirement is appropriate.
National licensing standards
The government says it intends to establish national core safety and safeguarding requirements while retaining some flexibility for local licensing authorities. It has also committed to publishing a draft Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles Bill during the current parliamentary session.
The wider reform programme includes work on licensing information, safeguards for passengers, and enforcement. The committee has highlighted concerns about so-called 'licence shopping' and extensive out-of-area working, which can complicate local oversight.
What happens next?
The publication is a formal government response to parliamentary recommendations, rather than the introduction of new CCTV rules. Any new national obligations would depend on consultation and subsequent policy or legislative decisions.