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Introduction of new taxi age limits put on hold by Stoke-on-Trent Council to the relief of drivers
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has agreed to put on hold any new introductions for taxi and private hire vehicle age limits, due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the industry.
The council had proposed to bring in a 12-year age limit on vehicles used, in a new policy which had been challenged by local drivers.
Members of the licensing and general purposes committee have now agreed to drop the proposed age limit from the revised licensing policy, but have said it may be revisited next year.
Current vehicle licensing rules state that vehicles licensed to work as hackney carriage or private hire cars must be less than seven years old when first licensed.
Once ten years old they must undergo an MOT and suitability test every six months. But there is currently no age limit in place for when a vehicle must come off the road.
Due to the current climate and the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the trade, committee members concluded that this would be the wrong time to introduce a taxi age limit on drivers who are struggling for work.
Other elements of the revised licensing policy will still go ahead, such as drivers undertaking safeguarding refresher courses every three years, and allowing the licensing of hackney carriage taxis with rear loading wheelchair access.
The new policy will come into effect on 1 January 2021.
