Guys, I think there is a danger of viewing these retrictions as specific to GA and PPL holders? It appears to me that some actually believe it is victimisation?
The truth is that the privelages of a PPL holder (and student start at 14 solo at 16) are more generous than other forms of licences.
A better comparison than taxis' may be mini buses:
To drive a mini bus for hire and reward a 'higher' form of licence is required, however, as with the PPL, there are exemptions allowig passengers to be carried on a 'basic' licence. Unlike the PPL the exemptions are subject to greater conditions.
Holders of a full category B (car) driving licence may drive any of the vehicles listed below:
- a passenger carrying vehicle manufactured more than 30 years before the date when it is driven and not used for hire or reward or for the carriage of more than 8 passengers
- a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats provided the following conditions are met:
i. the vehicle is used for social purposes by a non-commercial body but not for hire or reward
ii. the driver is aged 21 iii. the driver has held a car (category B) licence for at least 2 years
iv. the driver is providing the service on a voluntary basis
v. the minibus maximum weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes or 4.25 tonnes including any specialist equipment for the carriage of disabled passengers
vi. if the driver is aged 70 or over, is able to meet the health standards for driving a D1 vehicle
When driving a minibus under these conditions you may not receive any payment or consideration for doing so other than out of pocket expenses or tow any size trailer; you may only drive minibuses in this country. Drivers aged 70 or over will need to make a special application, which involves meeting higher medical standards.
Another example may be HGV v Public Service Vehicles, although HGV drivers will be more than capable of driving a bus the law requires them to get an additional licence to do so.
So given the limited restrictions on PPL holders I would argue that we actually have it easy with some simple obvious and logical laws (albeit it's not others logic) governing licensing, the reasons for which have already been covered.