Hartlepool Borough Council latest to drop taxi age limits but strengthen emissions standards
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 30, 2025
- 2 min read
Hartlepool Borough Council has formally approved its updated Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy, confirming key changes that affect vehicle standards and licensing conditions across the town.
From 1 September 2025, all licensed vehicles must be Euro 6 emissions compliant, while wheelchair accessible vehicles have until 1 September 2026 to meet the same standard. This update finalises a policy direction first introduced in 2019, aimed at supporting the council’s environmental goals and improving air quality across the borough.
In a move aligning Hartlepool with Department for Transport best practice, the council has also removed all age restrictions on licensed vehicles. Instead, the focus will shift solely to compliance with emissions and mechanical safety standards. Vehicles will now be judged on condition and environmental performance, not age.
Consultation on the changes attracted 22 responses, the majority coming from local taxi drivers. A number of drivers asked for further delays to the Euro 6 deadline, citing financial pressures and increased operating costs since the pandemic. However, the council maintained that drivers have had adequate time to prepare, noting that the original 2023 deadline had already been extended twice to provide flexibility.
Also approved is a stricter condition for new driver applicants. From now on, new private hire and hackney carriage drivers must complete a council-approved driving assessment before a licence is granted. Previously, the assessment could be completed within the first year of licensing. The change comes after a pattern of safety-related test failures under the old regime.
In addition, updated rules have been confirmed around written-off vehicles. Cars written off under Category S (structural damage) will no longer be accepted onto the fleet. Category N vehicles (non-structural damage) may still be considered, but only if supported by independent engineering and mechanical reports.
The council stated that its priority remains public safety, fleet sustainability, and minimising environmental impact. Despite requests for further concessions, it confirmed that the agreed timetable and conditions provide a balanced and fair transition, giving operators enough time to comply.
