Background and Policy Objectives
3.Under the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, the Department is responsible for the licensing of taxi drivers and public service vehicles.  The Department determines the roadworthiness of vehicles and checks the repute of drivers and owners.  There is no licensing regime for taxi operators.
4.In November 2002 the Department launched the Review of Taxi Regulation in response to widespread dissatisfaction among the taxi industry, public representatives and consumer organisations about how taxi services were being provided within existing legislative and operational controls. One of the main areas of concern was the extent of illegal taxi activity.  The objective of the Review was to make recommendations aimed at creating a more effective and equitable regulatory framework that would promote road and personal safety, improve accessibility and facilitate fair competition in the taxi industry.