The Deregulation of Taxi Drivers Bill is not viewed by many as a positive step to fine tune the taxi industry (and by taxi insurance this also includes minicabs) There are many grey areas even under the existing regime but there is one factor over and above every other – inconsistency. There are different sub-regulations and rules that affect the issuing of badges and plates between councils and districts that begs consistency across the piece. Some common issues that affect the private and public hire industry, particularly from a minicab insurance perspective include:

• The vehicle is ALWAYS a taxi when it is plated
• When a spouse or additional driver is named on the policy, some say that they too need to badged to drive the vehicle for the reason above – some do not
• No insurance offence – there is questionable a difference between a civil no insurance offence and a normal no insurance offence
• Some insurance companies allow a spouse for social domestic and pleasure, some do not
• The rules surrounding the age of a plated vehicle differ
• The rules surrounding what constitutes an “executive” vehicle differs (particularly amongst insurers)
• Driving licence rules especially where minicab insurance under 25 is concerned

The last point is very relevant to drivers who use their vehicles for contract work only and do not use their vehicles overnight as they attract cheap private hire insurance and cheap monthly minicab insurance. This very much depends on the vehicle make and model and whether jobs are restricted to airport runs, theatre, and company work.

It is hoped that the deregulation bill will iron out some historic issues but most are not convinced. Some have seen it as a complete relaxation of the rules that were put into place originally to ensure a safe and fair trade that delivered consistently high standards for fare paying passengers.