Hartlepool Council opens consultation on new taxi licensing policy
- Perry Richardson
- Apr 25
- 1 min read
Updated: Apr 28
Hartlepool Borough Council has launched a formal consultation on its Draft Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy for 2025. Members of the public, along with taxi and private hire operators, are invited to give their views before the 23 May deadline.
The proposed policy update sets out terms and conditions for licensing drivers, vehicles and operators within the borough.
Key proposals include the removal of all vehicle age limits. Instead, a focus is being placed on emissions compliance, with all vehicles required to meet Euro 6 standards by 1 September 2025. Wheelchair accessible vehicles have a further year to meet the same emissions standard.
The draft also includes updated guidance on insurance write-offs. It adopts the newer S and N categories, replacing the outdated C and D classification. Additionally, all new driver applicants must pass a council-approved driving assessment before being licensed.
Full details of the draft policy changes were presented to the Council’s Licensing Committee on 28 March. Following the consultation, all responses will be reviewed and considered by the committee.
