Vehicle hire

Limousines and bicycle rickshaws would be licensed under proposals launched this week by the Law Commission. Its consultation paper, Reforming the law of taxi and private hire services, suggests replacing current local regulations for taxis and private-hire vehicles with national safety standards for all vehicles.

The Commission said charity volunteers and child-minders would not need to be licensed, and that the iconic London black cab would not be affected. The consultation will close on 10 August.