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LTDA seeks temporary pause to London taxi age limit as TfL replies to cab trade supply concerns
Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) General Secretary Steve McNamara says members are concerned that London could lose licensed taxis as older vehicles reach the 12-year age limit, while the next generation of cabs remains some time away.
Writing in the LTDA’s TAXI newspaper, McNamara said the association was receiving “lots of calls and emails from members who are concerned about the possible shortage of cabs, as older cabs fall foul of the 12-year age limit.” He added that he was seeing “more and more” taxis come off licence.
The concern follows the confirmation that the next generation LEVC TX6 is expected in 2027. McNamara said he wrote to Transport for London (TfL) after the announcement, asking for a pause to the 12-year vehicle age limit while drivers wait for the new model.
In a letter dated 6 October, TfL’s Director of Sponsored Services and Regulatory Compliance, Danny Price, replied that the authority recognised concerns about vehicle supply during the period between the end of TX5 production and the TX6’s introduction. He described LEVC’s investment and commitment to London’s taxi trade as “positive news for the industry and for passengers.”
Price said TfL would “continue to monitor the situation closely, including the availability of vehicles across the market and any implications for fleet numbers and customer demand.” He also noted that drivers could access licensed vehicles through leasing and the second-hand market, as well as by buying a new vehicle.
The letter said TfL would assess whether mitigating measures might be needed to help drivers access suitable vehicles and continue operating in London. Any such assessment, Price wrote, would consider the effects on passengers and drivers, vehicle standards and air quality.
TfL did not confirm in the letter that it would suspend or change the age limit. It said the position would remain under review as plans for the next generation of taxi vehicles progress.
McNamara said he was still waiting for a final decision, which he expected would not come until the following month. He described Price’s letter as open to interpretation, saying his reading was that TfL was “simply” saying: “Hang on, we are looking at it.”
