A DRESS code for taxi drivers is set to be introduced after complaints that drivers wearing shorts ‘had their private parts on display’.

Enhanced criminal background checks for drivers every six months are also included in a range of tougher new minimum licensing rules set to be brought in by Bolton Council.

Call handlers and other non-driving staff at taxi firms also face regular Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for the first time under new ‘common minimum licensing standards’ set to be adopted by the council.

If the 17 standards are agreed by councillors a dress code will be be applied to all drivers in Bolton.

A report to Bolton Council’s cabinet, by borough licensing officers, will be considered by them next Monday.

The report gave the reasons behind the introduction of a dress code, which would ban the wearing of ‘sportswear’, including football shirts.

It stated: “Licensing authorities receive numerous complaints annually with regards to driver dress standards and related personal hygiene.

“In the worst examples, passengers have reported that drivers wearing shorts have had their private parts on display.

“Authorities are striving to achieve a higher standard of licensed driver fleet, and positive driver image for residents and visitor passengers is part of that standard of professionalism we aim to achieve.

“It is merely about drivers considering and reflecting on what they wear as a licensed driver and not about uniform.”

The code states: “All clothing worn by those working as private hire or hackney carriage drivers must be in good condition and the driver must keep good standards of personal hygiene.

“As a minimum standard whilst working, males should wear trousers and a shirt, t-shirt or polo shirt which has a full body and short or long sleeves.

“Knee length shorts are acceptable.

“Females should wear trousers, or a knee length skirt or dress, and a shirt, blouse, t-shirt or polo shirt which have a full body and a short or long sleeve.

“Knee length shorts are also acceptable.

“Footwear while working as a licensed driver shall be secure around the toe and heel.”

Bolton currently has a condition attached to a licence to drive private hire vehicles requires to’ be clean and respectable in dress and person’ but hackney carriage drivers are not subject to that condition.

The council said it is proposed to remedy this by adopting a system of dual badges with one licence issued that covers both private hire and hackney carriage.

Examples of unacceptable standards of dress in the code include ‘clothing that is not kept in a clean condition, free from holes, rips, or other damage’ and ‘words or graphics on clothing that is of an offensive or suggestive nature’.

It forbids the wearing of sportswear such as football and rugby kits including team shirts or beachwear but says tracksuits are acceptable and adds that the wearing of any hood or any other type of clothing that may obscure the driver’s vision or their identity is not acceptable.

Under the new standards a policy will be developed to introduce alcohol and drug testing for drivers based on complaints or intelligence received.

The new standards will mean annual criminal record checks for non-driving taxi operators and staff who have access to bookings.

Staff such as call handlers will be DBS checked to ensure that only safe and suitable people have access to operator records.

The changes come as all 10 Greater Manchester councils look to adopt similar rules for the 2,000 hackney vehicles, 11,500 private hire vehicles and upwards of 18,600 drivers who are currently licensed across those authorities.

A public consultation on the new standards was previously undertaken across Greater Manchester.

If the new standards are agreed they will be introduced from December 1.