Buckinghamshire taxi licensing overhaul to introduce new taxi age limits, mandatory card payments and tougher accessibility rules
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Buckinghamshire Council has confirmed a wide-ranging overhaul of its hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy, introducing new vehicle standards, mandatory contactless payments, updated driver requirements and tougher accessibility measures from 1 September 2026.
The revised policy is designed to make licensed transport “safer, more accessible, and better for the environment”, while also modernising elements of the licensing framework for drivers, operators and vehicle owners.
One of the most significant changes will see the maximum age limit for most licensed vehicles increase from 10 years to 12 years. Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) and low emission vehicles will be eligible to remain licensed for up to 15 years, with vehicles meeting enhanced wheelchair accessibility standards potentially remaining licensed beyond 15 years.
The authority is also introducing a long-term transition towards a fully accessible hackney carriage fleet. Once an existing hackney carriage reaches its age limit, any replacement vehicle will need to be wheelchair accessible. Existing wheelchair accessible taxis already operating under licence will also benefit from the extended 15-year licensing period.
Environmental standards are also being tightened. From September, all vehicles applying for a first licence must meet at least Euro 6 emissions standards. Looking further ahead, Buckinghamshire Council has confirmed that from 2035 all first licence applications will need to be for ultra low or zero emission vehicles. Existing licensed vehicles will still be permitted to operate until they reach their prescribed age limits.
The council is also simplifying aspects of the driver application and renewal process. From 1 September, applicants will require 12 months’ experience holding a full GB driving licence and must generally be aged 21 or over, although limited exceptions will apply. Medical assessments can be completed through a GP or approved provider, with a full medical history only required for the initial examination. Applicants who have lived abroad for 12 months or longer in a single country during the previous 10 years will also need to provide a certificate of good conduct.
Hackney carriage driver applicants will additionally need to provide proof that they work within Buckinghamshire.
Passengers are also set to benefit from several customer-focused measures. Every licensed vehicle will be required to offer contactless payment facilities for all journeys, removing the need for passengers to rely solely on cash. The council is also introducing a new zero-tolerance declaration on abuse, alongside mandatory safeguarding and disability awareness training for customer-facing operator staff.
Other policy changes include a revised approach to assessing drivers with DVLA penalty points, greater flexibility over advertising displayed on licensed vehicles, the removal of the requirement for operators to provide a local landline telephone number, and new flexibility allowing executive private hire drivers to undertake occasional non-executive bookings.
Buckinghamshire Council said the package of reforms is intended to modernise the licensed vehicle sector while balancing passenger safety, accessibility and environmental objectives.
The authority has reminded licence holders that the existing hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy will remain in force until the new policy comes into effect on 1 September 2026. It also stressed that every licence application and licensing decision will continue to be considered on its individual merits.
