UK Taxi sector: DfT Upholds Training Chaos as London Prepares for Driverless taxi Race

The Department for Transport (DfT) has formally confirmed it will not create a central, national list of approved training providers for PHV drivers. This decision, conveyed by Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport, in response to questions from Labour MP Elsie Blundell, reinforces the existing system where local licensing authorities hold sole responsibility for vetting and approving PHV driver training.

Minister Greenwood stated that local authorities are best positioned to determine the format and content of the training, pointing to current DfT guidance which mandates safeguarding training (2020) and recommends disability awareness or skills assessments (2023).

However, by refusing a national list, the DfT formalises the ongoing regional variation in training quality and oversight. While the government defends the local model as appropriate, industry stakeholders continue to voice concerns about inconsistent standards and the risk of low-quality or "unofficial" training routes for PHV drivers across England.

TfL Data Exposes Vehicle Inspection Failures

In London, the transport authority is tackling compliance at the vehicle level. Transport for London (TfL) has released data highlighting the top recurring reasons why PHVs are failing their annual licensing inspections on the first attempt, a process crucial for maintaining safety and standards.

Between 24 February and 15 September 2025, the first-time pass rate for PHVs stood at 88.90 per cent, meaning a notable 11.10 per cent of vehicles failed initially.

The five most frequent causes of failure were:

• Significant Damage to External Body Panels (dents/scrapes).
• Missing or Incomplete Hire and Reward Insurance Documentation.
• Vehicle Registration Paperwork Issues (missing DVLA V5/V5C or fleet printouts older than 14 days).
• Illuminated Dashboard Warning Lights (safety or mechanical indicators).
• Poor Paintwork or Body Presentation (dull/faded finishes).

A failure triggers re-testing requirements (one free re-test allowed within 21 days), unplanned repair costs, loss of the application fee portion, and critical loss of income for drivers unable to operate without a valid licence.

Robotaxi Race Accelerates: Waymo, Uber, and Wayve Target London 2026

Despite the complexities of driver licensing and vehicle standards, the UK is fast-tracking the rollout of driverless technology. The DfT confirmed that the initial economic impact of self-driving taxis will be "small in scale," as early pilot projects focus on data gathering under the Automated Passenger Services (APS) permitting scheme, set to be in place from Spring 2026.

The UK framework has attracted global industry leaders to London:

Waymo's 2026 Launch: The Alphabet-owned robotaxi pioneer has announced plans to launch its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in London in 2026, making the capital its first major European entry point. Waymo has already begun mapping and testing its vehicles with human safety drivers.

Uber and Wayve: In parallel, Uber is working with UK AI firm Wayve to launch its own trials of fully autonomous Level 4 vehicles in London, leveraging Wayve's advanced self-learning AI.

While the small-scale pilots are set for Spring 2026, a full commercial rollout is anticipated only after the Automated Vehicles Act is fully implemented in the second half of 2027. The government projects that this new sector could be worth £42 billion and create 38,000 jobs by 2035. The move signals a major transition in mobility, even as the regulatory framework for human-driven taxis remains highly fragmented.