Cherwell Council unveils revised taxi licensing policy for consultation which includes removing age limits on electric taxis
- Perry Richardson
- May 12
- 2 min read
Cherwell District Council has presented its draft taxi licensing policy for hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, setting out several updates intended to enhance safety, accessibility, and environmental standards. The policy is now open for consultation with the public and the trade.
The proposed policy brings Cherwell in line with the latest Department for Transport (DfT) best practice guidance published in November 2023. Key changes include the introduction of an Inclusive Service Plan (ISP), strengthened vehicle and driver safety checks, and new incentives to encourage cleaner vehicles.
Operators with ten or more vehicles will be required to ensure that at least 20% of their fleet is wheelchair accessible by January 2028. All operators must identify customer needs at the time of booking and must not charge extra for requirements related to disabilities or assistance animals.
Daily vehicle checks will now be mandatory, with documentation required to ensure roadworthiness. The Council will also conduct biannual vehicle inspections at its own depot, replacing the second MOT currently required. These inspections will focus specifically on licensing standards and will not cost more than the existing MOT requirement.
Driver safeguarding is set to improve through automatic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks every six months via a service called Taxi Plus. This approach meets the DfT’s expectations and maintains current cost levels for licence holders.
To encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly vehicles, Cherwell plans to remove age limits for electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles and extend age limits for hybrids, particularly those with wheelchair access.
The draft also introduces revised penalty point arrangements. Offences will now carry penalty points that remain valid for at least three years for drivers, and five years for private hire operators.
Public and trade consultation will run for eight weeks and include at least one engagement event. The policy aims to support both inclusion and the district’s net zero target for 2030, while ensuring compliance with national standards.
