Council to decide fate of over-age Toyota Prius taxi in licence policy clash
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 14
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 17
A Toyota Prius Plus hackney carriage could remain in service for another year if councillors approve a licence renewal request that falls outside current age limit rules.
The application, due to be considered by the Westmorland and Furness Council Regulatory Sub-Committee on 14 August 2025, relates to a vehicle first registered on 31 December 2019. Under South Lakeland District Council’s 2022 taxi policy, non-wheelchair accessible vehicles must be under five years old when first licensed.
The Prius was first licensed in July 2023, making it over the limit for a first-time licence, but it is now also outside the renewal criteria due to the late submission.
The licence expired on 13 July 2025 and the renewal request was made five days later. Late applications are treated as new grants, meaning age policy rules apply in full.
The applicant has asked councillors to depart from the policy, citing the vehicle’s condition and compliance with all safety checks. An independent engineer’s report rated the Prius as in exceptional condition for its age, and recent MOT and hackney carriage tests were passed without advisories.
The policy, adopted in January 2009, allows departures if deemed appropriate by the sub-committee. Councillors have discretion to attach extra conditions if the renewal is approved. If refused, the applicant has the right to appeal to the magistrates’ court within 21 days.
