FOI release

Government Best Practice - Daily Pre Use Walkaround Checks

Case reference FOI2026/00881

Received 23 August 2026

Published 21 September 2026

Request

1. Government Best Practice Guidance Section 6.13 of the Government’s Best Practice Guidance for Taxis and Private Hire requires that a “driver should undertake a walkaround check before a vehicle is used. Where more than one driver will use the vehicle during the day’s running, the driver taking charge of a vehicle should make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive by carrying out their own walkaround check”. Requested Information: What action does your authority take to raise taxi and private hire drivers’ awareness of this obligation? 2. Taxi and Private Hire Policy – Pre-Use Walkaround Checks Section 6.13 of the Government’s Best Practice Guidance for Taxis and Private Hire requires that a “driver should undertake a walkaround check before a vehicle is used. Where more than one driver will use the vehicle during the day’s running, the driver taking charge of a vehicle should make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive by carrying out their own walkaround check”. Requested Information: Does your taxi and private hire policy require licensed taxi and private hire drivers to undertake a walkaround check before a vehicle is used? 3. Recording Pre-Use Walkaround Checks Section 6.13 of the Government’s Best Practice Guidance for Taxis and Private Hire states that: “Drivers should be required to retain the vehicle checklist as proof that they have undertaken the required vehicle check”. Requested Information: What obligations do you place on licensed drivers to keep formal records of their pre-use walkaround checks of their taxi or private hire vehicle? 4. Regulatory Action Where No Walkaround Checks Take Place – Drivers Section 6.13 of the Government’s Best Practice Guidance for Taxis and Private Hire states that: “Drivers should be made aware that they may be subject to sanctions if they are unable to produce this or it is clear that while the form has been completed, the check has not”. Requested Information: What processes do you have in place to identify licensed drivers who fail to undertake a pre-use walkaround check and what regulatory action is taken against those drivers that fail to do so? 5. Regulatory Action – Proprietors Section 6.13 of the Government’s Best Practice Guidance for Taxis and Private Hire states that: “Further sanctions may result against them, as well as vehicle proprietors, if they are found using a defective vehicle, especially if the condition of the vehicle is such that it is obvious no routine checks have occurred over several days”. Requested Information: Do enforcement officers in your council who find defective taxi or private hire vehicles request that the proprietor provides evidence of routine checks? Where no evidence is provided are additional sanctions taken against proprietors?

Response

In accordance with section 1(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), Oxford City Council (OCC) confirms that it holds information relevant to your request and can advise as follows.

1. Government Best Practice Guidance

A pre-use “walkaround” check is not currently a specific condition of an OCC private hire or hackney carriage driver licence. The introduction of a requirement relating to walkaround checks is being considered as part of OCC’s upcoming taxi and private hire policy review.

2. Taxi and Private Hire Policy – Pre-Use Walkaround Checks

No. OCC’s current taxi and private hire licensing conditions do not specifically require licensed drivers to undertake a pre-use walkaround check. This is being considered as part of OCC’s upcoming policy review.

3. Recording Pre-Use Walkaround Checks

As a walkaround check is not currently a specific licence condition, OCC does not currently place a specific requirement on licensed drivers to retain a formal checklist or record of a pre-use walkaround check.

4. Regulatory Action Where No Walkaround Checks Take Place – Drivers

As OCC does not currently impose a specific licence requirement to undertake a pre-use walkaround check, there is no separate process for identifying drivers who have failed to undertake such a check, or specific regulatory action taken solely on that basis.

More generally, OCC Licensing Officers undertake enforcement inspections to check that licensed vehicles and drivers comply with their licence conditions. This includes rank inspections and late-night inspections. Further information about OCC’s taxi licensing and enforcement arrangements is available here:

https://www.oxford.gov.uk/taxi-licensing/taxi-licensing-policies-enforcement

5. Regulatory Action – Proprietors

As there is currently no specific requirement for drivers or proprietors to retain evidence of pre-use walkaround checks, OCC does not impose an additional sanction specifically for failure to provide such a record.

This does not affect OCC’s wider powers in relation to defective licensed vehicles or other failures to comply with vehicle licensing requirements. OCC’s published information on vehicle compliance and enforcement is available here:

https://www.oxford.gov.uk/taxi-vehicle-licensing/certificates-compliance-hackney-carriage-private-hire-vehicles.

If you disagree with any part of the response to your request, you are entitled to ask the Council for an internal review of the decision(s) made. You may do this by writing to the Monitoring Officer, by either email monitoringofficer@oxford.gov.uk – or by post to Monitoring Officer, Oxford City Council, Town Hall, St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1BX. After the result of the internal review, if you remain dissatisfied, you may ask the Information Commissioner to intervene on your behalf. You may do this by writing to the Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Officer

Documents

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