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Middlesbrough Council grants one-year taxi licence extension as wheelchair-accessible fleet falls to 30
- Perry Richardson
- 18 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Middlesbrough Council has granted a one-year licence extension to a wheelchair-accessible hackney carriage that had reached the authority’s maximum vehicle age.
The vehicle was due to be removed from licensed service on 30 June 2026, when it became 12 years old. Under the council’s current policy, London-style taxis and approved side-loading wheelchair-accessible vehicles can ordinarily remain licensed for no more than 12 years.
Members of the Licensing Committee approved the renewal at a meeting on 22 June. The vehicle must undergo and pass three tests during the licence period, at four-monthly intervals.
The proprietor told the council that the vehicle remained in good working condition and continued to provide a reliable service, including journeys for passengers who depend on wheelchair-accessible transport. The vehicle was first licensed by Middlesbrough Council in July 2014.
The committee was told that Middlesbrough’s wheelchair-accessible hackney carriage fleet had fallen sharply, from approximately 150 vehicles in 2020 to 30 in June 2026. The remaining fleet comprised 12 larger side-loading vehicles and 18 smaller rear and side-loading vehicles.
Officers supported a temporary departure from the age policy because of the reduced availability of accessible taxis. Middlesbrough’s Hackney Carriage Association also supported the application and welcomed the council’s planned review of its taxi licensing policies.
The applicant’s representative submitted a letter of support from a wheelchair user. Members concluded that retaining the vehicle would help preserve the availability of accessible transport while the wider policy review was undertaken.
The committee considered the vehicle’s high mileage but noted that it had passed most previous tests at the first attempt. Where faults had been found, they were described as minor and were corrected before a retest.
Members said testing the vehicle every four months would reduce the safety risk associated with allowing it to operate beyond the normal age limit. Standard testing under the existing policy takes place every six months.
Middlesbrough Council is expected to review its vehicle age rules later in 2026. The work will consider replacing fixed age limits with European emissions standards and whether wheelchair-accessible vehicles should receive an exemption to encourage continued provision.
Government best-practice guidance published in November 2023 advises licensing authorities against imposing vehicle age limits. It recommends more targeted requirements addressing emissions, safety ratings and the availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
The decision applies only to the vehicle considered under reference 17/26 and does not amount to a general change in Middlesbrough’s licensing policy. Any wider revision would require the council to complete its planned review and consultation process.
