The UK law on seatbelts seems clear enough: You must wear a seatbelt if one is fitted in the seat you’re using, and you can be fined up to £500 if you do not wear a seatbelt when you’re supposed to.
However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. And one of these exceptions concerns taxi drivers.
In this post we’ll explore when taxi drivers do, and do not, have to wear seatbelts. And if you manage a fleet of taxis, we’ll discuss how you might improve driver safety in your fleet.
If you have any more questions about your legal responsibilities as a taxi driver or taxi fleet manager, call our dedicated team on 0208 290 9099, or email CM@AnthonyJones.com.
Do Taxi Drivers Have to Wear Seatbelts?
It may surprise you to learn that taxi drivers are largely exempt from having to wear seatbelts. Among the situations when you do not legally need to wear a seatbelt, the government outlines the following for taxi drivers:
- If you’re a licensed taxi driver that is either waiting in a taxi rank, or looking for customers while driving.
- If you’re a licensed taxi driver, or a driver of a private hire vehicle, who is currently carrying passengers. Private hire vehicles can include limousines and minibuses as well as taxis.
When Do Taxi Drivers Have to Wear Seatbelts?
The guidance implies that taxi drivers are required to wear seatbelts when they have no passengers, or when they are not currently seeking passengers – for example, when they are driving home after a shift. But beyond this, taxi drivers do not have to wear seatbelts.
Taxi Driver Passengers Must Still Wear Seatbelts
Note that this exemption does not apply to the taxi driver’s passengers. Any passengers in the taxi aged 14 or over must wear a seatbelt throughout their journey. All child passengers must travel in the rear. If they’re aged three or over, they must wear an adult’s seatbelt.
The only passengers that are exempt from wearing a seatbelt are children younger than three, and passengers with certain medical exemptions.
Why Are Taxi Drivers Exempt From Wearing Seatbelts?
There’s a practical reason for this exemption: Taxi drivers often travel short distances, so they are frequently stopping and starting their car to pick up and drop off passengers. If they had to fasten and unfasten their seatbelts between every journey, it would slow them down significantly.
Of course, you could argue here that the safest and most efficient approach would be for taxi drivers to wear seatbelts at all times. However, some might argue that it’s actually safer for drivers to not wear seatbelts.
Why? Consider the risk of crime, and abusive passengers. Not wearing a seatbelt gives taxi drivers more freedom of movement. They can react quickly if an emergency situation arises, to escape to safety if necessary.
Taxi drivers have been exempted from wearing seatbelts for decades, and it does not look likely that the law will change anytime soon. It’s all about efficiency and security. Though you might wonder – what about road safety?
Should You Enforce Seatbelt Rules For Your Drivers?
If you manage a fleet of taxis, you may want to enforce seatbelt rules for your drivers in the interests of driver safety. However, before you do so, you should talk to your drivers.
TaxiPoint, the leading UK taxi industry news source, surveyed a number of drivers about their attitudes to seatbelts. Many taxi drivers said that they actually feel safer when they’re not wearing seatbelts, particularly when they’ve got passengers in the car.
One taxi driver talked about a situation where a drunk passenger had tried to strangle him with the seatbelt he was wearing. Another talked about a seatbelt being pulled around their throat during an attempted robbery.
Talk To Your Drivers about Seatbelts
Certain makes and models of cars simply will not start unless the seatbelt’s engaged. If your cabbies drive such vehicles, then they will have no choice but to wear a seatbelt. But beyond this, you should ask your drivers what would make them feel safe.
Safety Concerns
If they have concerns about security, consider how you might address these with tech such as in-cab cameras, or with more rudimentary solutions such as physical barriers between the front and the back seats.
Road Safety Concerns
If you have concerns about road safety, then consider issuing flexible rules for seatbelt use. For example, you could require your drivers to wear their seatbelts when travelling on motorways, country roads, dual carriageways, and any other roads where the chances of an accident may be greater.
In any case, talk to your drivers and aim to meet them halfway. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find a solution that works for everyone.
Specialist Insurance For Taxi Fleets
At Anthony Jones, we offer specialist risk assessment and insurance services for taxi drivers and taxi fleet managers.
If you have any more questions about your legal responsibilities as a taxi driver or taxi fleet manager, we’re here to help. Our dedicated team can also advise on the possible insurance implications of seatbelt use among your drivers.
For more information, call our dedicated team on 0208 290 9099, or email CM@AnthonyJones.com.
