Table of Contents
England: Check with your Local Authority
Scotland: Local Permission Required
Northern Ireland: Centralised but Optional
Best Practices for Taxi Drivers
Across the UK, the use of in-vehicle CCTV and dashcams in taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) is shaped by local licensing authorities. While policies differ between regions England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland common themes include data protection, privacy laws, and technology standards. This guide explores where cameras are required, where they’re optional, what kinds are permitted, and how taxi drivers can comply with local authority requirements.
England: Check with your Local Authority
Mandatory CCTV Zones
Some councils in England have made CCTV a licensing requirement due to safety concerns or past incidents:
- Rotherham (South Yorkshire): Introduced after a child exploitation scandal. Drivers must install council-approved video and audio-capable systems since 2016.
- Southampton & Portsmouth (Hampshire): CCTV required in all taxis. Southampton reintroduced the requirement for drivers to install CCTV / dashcams in their vehicles from 2013, this is no longer including continuous audio due to privacy law.
- Cambridge & South Cambridgeshire: As of April 2023, CCTV is mandatory for all newly licensed and renewed taxis.
- Peterborough: Peterborough council held a consultation with drivers and local representatives in 2024 to determine whether CCTV should be made mandatory for all drivers to install. However an official decision hasn’t yet been released. If you are unsure on whether this requirement will apply to you, then you can contact them here.
- Craven District (North Yorkshire): Full CCTV requirement since 2022, with support funds available for drivers.
- East and West Sussex (e.g., Eastbourne, Lewes, Adur & Worthing): Have adopted or are moving towards mandatory schemes.
- Fareham & Gosport (Hampshire): Recently adopted compulsory CCTV per police recommendations.
Note: Councils with mandatory CCTV often act as Data Controllers, managing footage access and storage. Drivers in these areas are typically prohibited from switching cameras off while on duty.
Voluntary CCTV – Widespread, But Regulated
Most English councils allow optional CCTV or dashcams if strict conditions are met. These conditions include:
- Approval Process: Installation must be approved by the council in which the taxi driver operates. Many authorities provide a list of pre-approved models that meet their specifications. Contact your local authority or check their website to get the most up to date guidelines on this as each one may vary depending on authority.
- Technical Standards: Systems must be encrypted, tamper-proof, and inaccessible by the driver while in use. Memory units are locked, with footage download controlled by council officials or police.
- Quality & Storage: High-resolution night-capable video is essential. Storage depends on the capacity of the device, but some councils such as Manchester require devices to have rolling footage, which is stored for between 7-28 days before it is overwritten. Make sure your system’s storage meets your council’s minimum days requirement but also stays within rules set around how long this data should be kept.
- Dashcams: Outward-facing cameras are allowed, but they must not record audio. If they also record inside the vehicle, all CCTV rules apply. For the full list of rules please visit the Gov.uk website here.
- Signage: “CCTV in operation” signs must be clearly displayed at passenger entry points. Information on the Data Controller and how to request access is also required.
- Audio Recording: Continuous audio recording is prohibited. However, many systems feature a panic button that triggers short-term audio in emergencies only.
- Data Access & Use: Drivers cannot view or share footage. Data must only be released in lawful circumstances like police investigations or official requests.
- ‘ICO Registration: You may need to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) based on your local authority. You can check whether you need to register with the ICO by visiting the ICO’s free self assessment tool here
Wales: Unified CCTV Policy
In Wales, CCTV in taxis remains voluntary, but the Welsh Government has issued a model CCTV policy that local councils can all adopt with the intention of providing a uniformed set of rules across Wales. To read more visit the Wales.gov website here.
Key Points:
- Uniform Guidelines: Similar to England’s rules, these include but are not limited to, no continuous audio, approved systems only, and secure data handling.
- Future Mandates: Councils may require CCTV in future but must first complete a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA).
- Current Practice: Councils like Newport and Cardiff have partnered with suppliers to approve specific systems.
- Installation Tips: Always inform your local licensing body and use systems from recommended providers to ensure compliance.
Scotland: Local Permission Required
Taxi licensing in Scotland is managed by 32 local councils. No authority currently mandates CCTV, but driver-installed systems must meet defined criteria.
Key Rules:
- Pre-Approval: Councils such as Glasgow and Edinburgh require drivers to notify them and gain approval before installing cameras.
- Standard Conditions: Internal and external cameras must be encrypted, hard-wired to the ignition (no manual off switch), and audio may only be triggered in emergencies.
- No Mandatory CCTV (as of 2025): Scotland has avoided making CCTV compulsory to protect passenger privacy, though it is encouraged in high-risk areas.
- Data Control: Typically, the driver is the Data Controller, unless working with a third-party company that manages footage on the driver’s behalf. ICO registration is required in most cases.
Northern Ireland: Centralised but Optional
Northern Ireland’s taxi regulation is centralized under the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), creating a single, consistent framework.
Current Policy:
- Voluntary Use: No taxi operator is required to install CCTV or dashcams, but they may do so if they comply with UK-wide data laws.
- Legal Compliance: Drivers must display clear signage, avoid continuous audio, and ensure encrypted secure storage.
- Operator Installations: Some fleet operators install CCTV across their vehicles. Independent drivers are responsible for legal compliance and ICO registration.
Best Practices for Taxi Drivers
Whether your camera use is required or voluntary, these tips help you stay compliant and protected:
1. Choose Approved Equipment
Use only systems listed as approved by your local council. Examples of vetted providers include:
- AC Security Solutions (CabCam): Approved by over 40 councils. For more information visit AC Security Solutions website here.
- 4Eyez: Supplier for TfL, Portsmouth, Rotherham, and others. For more information visit 4Eyez’s website here.
These vendors offer cameras with built-in encryption and panic buttons. However, it is always best to check with your local authority which providers are on their approved list.
2. Professional Installation
Ensure the system is securely mounted, hard-wired to the ignition, and installed by a qualified technician. Some councils may require a certificate of installation, so make sure to check with your local authority before the device is fitted.
3. Understand Your System
Know how your camera works:
- Recording indicators
- Audio trigger buttons
- Storage limits and overwrite cycle
This enables you to explain the system to passengers and ensure correct usage.
4. Manage Data Responsibly
- Depending on how you collect and manage the data taken from the device (footage) you might be considered as the ‘data controller’. If this is true you will need to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office, you can find more information about that here.
- If you’re unsure, check if you need to register with the ICO by using the free online checker here.
- Store and handle footage securely
- Respond to lawful footage requests (police, council, courts)
- Write a simple data policy stating what’s recorded, why, and how it’s managed
5. No Unlawful Audio
Never activate or install continuous audio recording. Use audio only via the panic button during emergencies.
Breaking this rule can lead to severe penalties, including licence suspension and GDPR prosecution.
6. Use Clear Signage
All CCTV systems must be accompanied by clear “CCTV in use” stickers on entry points and within the vehicle. If audio can be activated, signage must indicate that audio may be recorded in specific situations.
7. Be Transparent with Passengers
Inform visually impaired passengers verbally that CCTV is in use. For others, be ready to answer questions confidently and honestly about your camera system.
8. Understand the Benefits
CCTV and dashcams can help you:
- Defend against false allegations
- Provide evidence in accidents or crimes
- Support law enforcement
- Increase passenger and driver safety
Example: In Fareham, footage helped convict a sexual offender without requiring a trial.
Summary
Using CCTV or dashcams in UK taxis can improve safety—but only when used legally. Whether installation is required by your council or voluntary, you must:
- Use approved systems
- Avoid continuous audio
- Display proper signs
- Follow secure data practices
- Register with the ICO if you’re the Data Controller
Always check your local council’s specific policy; many publish dedicated documents for taxi CCTV guidelines.
By staying informed and compliant, you protect both yourself and your passengers while remaining on the right side of the law.
At Acorn Insurance we understand the needs of our customers. That’s why we offer a range of policies, from 7 day to annual, to provide taxi insurance that is right for you.
Further reading…
Unlock the Road to Success: Essential Tips Every New Taxi Driver Must Know →
Uber Drivers: How to Achieve and Maintain Five-Star Ratings →