Government questioned on minimum pass mark for taxi and PH safeguarding test

The Government has been asked to clarify whether it plans to introduce a minimum national pass mark for safeguarding tests taken by taxi and private hire drivers, following a written parliamentary question from Conservative MP Jerome Mayhew.

Mr Mayhew asked the Department for Transport whether ministers intend to set a required pass threshold for any safeguarding assessment that licensing authorities mandate for drivers. The question reflects ongoing concerns about inconsistent standards across England and the potential for drivers to seek out areas with less stringent requirements.

Transport minister Lilian Greenwood said the Department’s statutory guidance already recommends that licensing authorities require safeguarding training for taxi and private hire drivers, but she stressed that decisions about the content, format, and whether to include a test with a minimum pass mark remain a matter for local authorities.

Ms Greenwood also highlighted the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently before the House of Lords, which would give the Secretary of State powers to set national licensing requirements through regulations. This could include the ability to introduce a standardised safeguarding test or a national minimum pass mark in future.