Final call for Teignbridge taxi drivers as major licensing shake-up consultation closes this week
- Perry Richardson
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Taxi drivers, private hire operators and residents in Teignbridge are being reminded that the consultation on the district’s proposed new hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy closes this week, with responses accepted until 12 noon on Friday 7 August.
Teignbridge District Council launched the consultation on 26 June as part of the first full review of its hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy in more than 15 years. The authority is seeking views from drivers, operators, passengers, residents and organisations before finalising the revised framework that will govern licensed vehicles and drivers across the district.
The draft policy has been designed to bring together current legal requirements, national standards, best practice guidance and local licensing conditions into a single document. According to the council, the aim is to support clearer licensing decisions, more consistent enforcement and stronger public protection, while ensuring requirements remain proportionate for drivers and operators.
Among the proposals are clearer expectations around driver suitability, including knowledge and English language proficiency testing, alongside mandatory safeguarding, disability awareness and county lines training. The draft policy also introduces tighter requirements relating to vehicle standards, emissions and record keeping.
Further proposals include daily vehicle safety checks carried out by drivers and six-monthly vehicle inspections. The council is also proposing a requirement for licensed drivers to demonstrate that they predominantly operate within the Teignbridge area, as well as introducing new provisions covering the use of CCTV and the licensing of horse-drawn carriages.
The consultation comes at a time when licensing authorities across England are reviewing taxi and private hire policies to reflect updated statutory guidance, changing operational practices and increased expectations around passenger safeguarding and environmental performance. For drivers and operators in Teignbridge, the outcome of the consultation could shape licensing requirements for years to come.
Councillor Suzanne Sanders, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Taxi and private hire services help people travel safely and confidently around Teignbridge. This consultation gives drivers, operators, passengers and residents the chance to shape a policy that protects the public while supporting a fair and practical licensing system. We want to know whether the proposals strike the right balance between safety, service and reasonable requirements for the trade.”
