Mayor of London dangles longer vehicle age limits and charge exemptions as levers to lure wheelchair friendly PHVs
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
The Mayor of London outlined the steps Transport for London (TfL) is taking to encourage more wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles (PHVs) onto London’s roads, pointing to extended vehicle age limits, charging exemptions and a long-term review of unmet demand.
In a written response published, the Mayor was answering a question from Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari OBE on what actions are being taken to increase the number of wheelchair accessible PHVs operating in the capital.
The response said Transport for London remains committed to improving accessibility across taxi and private hire services, stressing that drivers and operators already have clear legal duties under the Equality Act 2010. TfL said it actively monitors compliance with those duties and will take enforcement action where licensees or operators are found to have acted unlawfully.
As part of its incentive framework, TfL highlighted that wheelchair accessible PHVs benefit from more generous vehicle age limits. Designated WAV PHVs can apply to operate for up to 15 years, subject to approval, compared with the standard 10-year age limit that applies to most private hire vehicles.
Mayor says incentives, exemptions and an accessibility review will shape future policy on WAV private hire provision
The Mayor’s answer also pointed to financial incentives linked to road user charging. Designated WAV PHVs carrying out private hire bookings are exempt from the Ultra Low Emission Zone charge until October 2027. They are also exempt from the Congestion Charge and the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels user charge, measures intended to reduce operating costs for drivers running accessible vehicles.
TfL said these incentives are complemented by longer-term policy work under its Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan 2025. The authority is currently undertaking a taxi and private hire accessibility review, including an accessibility demand survey, which is expected to be completed by the end of the 2026 to 2027 financial year.
According to the response, the review will aim to identify any unmet demand for wheelchair accessible journeys in London and will be used to inform future policy decisions on accessibility requirements and support mechanisms for the sector.
TfL added that, given the pre-booked nature of private hire services, its current focus is on improving understanding of demand, reducing operational barriers for wheelchair accessible vehicles and ensuring existing accessibility duties are properly enforced, rather than introducing immediate new mandates.
The Mayor of London said: “Transport for London (TfL) is committed to improving the accessibility of taxi and private hire services.
“Taxi and private hire drivers and operators have clear duties under the Equality Act 2010. TfL monitors compliance with these duties and will take enforcement action where licensees or operators are found to have acted unlawfully.
“To help encourage the retention and use of wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles (WAV PHVs), TfL offers greater vehicle age limits for these vehicles. Designated WAV PHVs may apply for an extended age limit of up to 15 years, subject to TfL approval, meaning they may operate for up to 15 years, compared with the standard 10-year age limit that applies to most private hire vehicles.
“Designated WAV PHVs used to carry out private hire bookings also benefit from exemptions from the Ultra Low Emission Zone Charge until October 2027, as well as the Congestion Charge and Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels User Charge.
“As set out in TfL’s Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan 2025, TfL is undertaking a taxi and private hire accessibility review, including an accessibility demand survey, which is planned to be completed by the end of 2026/27. This work will help to identify any unmet demand for wheelchair accessible journeys and will inform future policy decisions.
“Given the pre-booked nature of private hire services, TfL is focusing its efforts on improving understanding of demand, reducing operational barriers for wheelchair accessible vehicles and ensuring compliance with existing accessibility duties.”
