Taxi Driver Online

3.2 In July 2021 this committee agreed:

The carrying out of a consultation exercise on the installation of CCTV in vehicles.

A temporary relaxation of the vehicle age rules from five to six years on first licensing and seven to
eight years on renewal up to June 2022.

The extension of the vehicle age rules for electric /hybrid vehicles from five to six years on first
licensing and seven to eight years on renewal.

The carrying out of an investigation into the implications of an extension to the requirement to
upgrade vehicles to less polluting ones in line with the short term exemptions created by
Birmingham City Council.

3.3 The Taxi Licensing Policy previously consulted upon included a condition that by 1 April 2022 all
licensed vehicles must be fitted with CCTV (visual and audio). However whilst the mandating of CCTV in
vehicles can undoubtedly provide a safer environment for the benefit of taxi/private hire vehicle
passengers and drivers, the imposition of a blanket requirement to attach CCTV as a condition to a
licence can give rise to concerns about the proportionality of such an approach.

3.4 Government guidance suggests a strong justification needs to be in place to support this condition. It is
therefore recommended that all licensing authorities should consult to identify if there are local
circumstances which indicate that the installation of CCTV in vehicles would have either a positive or
an adverse net effect on the safety of taxi and private hire vehicle users, including children or
vulnerable adults and taking into account potential privacy issues.

3.5 A 6 week consultation was carried out on the mandatory requirement for CCTV cameras in all
vehicles in autumn 2021. No responses were received to this consultation. In view of the lack of
response, further consultation took place with a Trade meeting held on 2 February. 22 drivers joined
the virtual meeting and there was a unanimous view that CCTV should not be mandatory. Drivers
raised concerns about:

Cost Implication of installations of systems certified to use and then reinstallation when
changing vehicles.

Who would have access to said data – they would want to reserve the right to control the
data

When and why data would be requested.

General worry about privacy of customers (including celebrities) and family members.
3.6 In the absence of a strong justification for making CCTV mandatory, it is recommended that this is
optional for drivers.

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

I do like the idea of councils reflecting on policies they have adopted, and if need be changing them.

However, CCTV is not one that should be a political football. Those drivers/operators/owners who didn't want to have to pay for CCTV are mugs, and mugs that will live to regret it in the years to come.

However, part 2, this trade is chock a block full of mugs.

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IDFIMH