Fareham & Gosport Taxi Licensing: Approved CCTV Systems Explained

Fareham and Gosport Councils have introduced mandatory CCTV for all taxis and private hire vehicles. This new policy is designed to make journeys safer for both drivers and passengers and to ensure licensed vehicles meet modern safety standards.

If you are a taxi or PHV driver in Fareham or Gosport, here is a simple breakdown of what the new rules mean and how to stay compliant.

Why CCTV Is Now Required in Taxis and PHVs

The councils have introduced CCTV to:

Protect drivers from false allegations
Reduce crime and antisocial behaviour
Provide evidence in case of disputes or incidents
Support police with investigations
Help drivers with insurance (accident) claims
Assist the council when handling complaints
Improve passenger confidence and safety

Important Deadlines for Drivers

Newly licensed vehicles

From 1 October 2025, any new or transferred taxi/PHV licence will only be approved if the vehicle already has a compliant CCTV system fitted.

Existing licensed vehicles

All current taxis and PHVs must have CCTV installed by 1 January 2027.

Temporary/substitute vehicles

If your vehicle is damaged and you use a substitute vehicle, it must also have an approved CCTV system before the council will license it.

What the CCTV System Must Include

To meet Fareham & Gosport’s policy, the system must:

Record video to a secure unit (not live monitored)
Be fitted safely with no hazards
Be properly maintained and always in good working order
Have cameras covering the inside of the vehicle
Store footage on a secure internal unit
Support audio recording only via a driver-activated panic button
Include clear time, date, vehicle ID, speed stamps
Have a download port in an accessible location

The system must also support up to four cameras, allowing full interior coverage.

Audio Recording Rules

Audio recording cannot run continuously.
It can only be activated by pressing a panic button if:

You feel at risk
A passenger becomes abusive
There is a dispute about payment
You fear damage to your vehicle

This protects driver safety while meeting strict privacy laws.

Signage Inside the Vehicle

All taxis and PHVs must display the correct CCTV signs:

At every passenger entry point
Clearly visible before and after entering
Stating that audio may be recorded

If a passenger is visually impaired (e.g., has a guide dog), the driver must explain verbally that CCTV and audio may be in use..

Data Controller Responsibilities

Drivers are allowed to be their own Data Controller.

If you choose to do this, you must:

Register with the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office)
Only share footage with police, law enforcement, or the council
Follow the Data Protection Act 2018

ICO registration is required every year, and the council may request proof.

Recordings are stored locally on the secure SD card inside the MDVR unit.

ACSS – Approved CCTV Supplier for Fareham & Gosport

ACSS is officially approved by both councils to supply and install compliant taxi CCTV systems. Over the past year, we have worked closely with the councils to ensure our system meets every technical and legal requirement.

Our systems are trusted by many councils across the UK, including those with mandatory CCTV policies.

Why drivers choose ACSS

Fully compliant with Fareham & Gosport policy
100% solid-state design (no moving parts)
Runs 20 minutes without ignition power
GPS built-in
Supports up to 4 cameras
Secure local storage
Audio only via panic button
Easy download access
Installed by approved local partners

We work with professional installers such as MeterMasters and Dtec, covering Reading, Southampton, Portsmouth, Fareham, and Gosport.
We also accept additional local installers to make installations as accessible as possible