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Cashless payments and random drug tests among Isle of Wight taxi licensing proposals
Isle of Wight Council has opened a six-week consultation on proposed changes to hackney carriage and private hire licensing, with responses due by 16 December 2026.
The consultation opened on 4 November and covers a revised framework for 2027 to 2032. The council is seeking views on driver eligibility, vehicle standards, safeguarding, payment facilities and professional conduct. The proposals have not yet been adopted.
Vehicle age limits would be relaxed for first-time licensing. The maximum entry age would rise from under three years to under five years for most vehicles. Fully electric vehicles could be under seven years old, compared with the current five-year limit.
The proposed changes could widen the choice of vehicles available to operators, particularly in the second-hand market. The council has not set out a final implementation date for the individual measures.
New driver applicants would face a longer experience requirement. They would need to have held a full driving licence for at least three years, up from the current minimum of one year. Additional provisions would apply to applicants relying on non-UK driving licences.
The draft policy would also require drivers to complete refresher training every three years. The training would cover safeguarding, disability awareness, equality legislation, licensing requirements and professional standards.
Drug and alcohol testing provisions would expand to include random tests and tests following complaints, intelligence reports, relevant investigations or incidents. The proposals also address prescription medication, cannabis-based products and rehabilitation.
Vehicles would have to offer card payments or other commonly accepted electronic payment methods, alongside appropriate receipt arrangements. The council is also proposing changes to driver reporting obligations, vehicle modifications, passenger capacity and exemptions from displaying plates on executive vehicles.
A new Driver Code of Conduct would set expectations for professional behaviour. The draft policy also addresses potentially misleading private hire trading names, branding and advertising, and would require vehicle proprietors to provide documentary evidence of ownership or other appropriate proprietorship.
Other areas under review include accessibility, modern slavery, driver safety and the National Register of Taxi and Private Hire Licence Revocations and Refusals. The policy review was considered by councillors in October.
Licensed drivers, vehicle proprietors, private hire operators and other interested parties can submit representations through the council’s consultation portal by 16 December.
