NEW TAXI AGE LIMITS: London could lose another 1,228 black cab vehicles in next 12 months

The capital could lose a further 1,228 licensed black cab vehicles over a twelve month period as new age limit rules begin in November 2021.

The number of taxis in London has nosedived by over 5,000 vehicles since the first COVID restriction measures began. There are now only 13,975 (4,505 of which are ZEC taxis), meaning a QUARTER of the wheelchair accessible taxis in April 2020 are currently no longer available to taxi drivers and passengers.

According to Transport for London (TfL) records show there were 18,504 taxis registered in Greater London at the start of the pandemic in April 2020. The decrease has been mainly attributed to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the industry.

The number of newly licensed electric taxis has steadily increased since COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed, however with the high number of vehicles still set to depart the fleet this year, the recovery to pre-covid vehicle levels may be hampered.

Between 1 November 2021 and 31 October 2022, vehicles that are older than 12 years will be ineligible for licensing. TfL’s latest figures, from 31 August 2021, show that 1,228 vehicles will be over 12 years of age and will not be eligible for licensing from 1 November 2021.

Between 1 November 2022 and 31 October 2023, vehicles that are older than 11 years of age will also be ineligible for licensing. TfL’s latest figures show that 474 further licensed vehicles will be 11 years of age and would no longer be eligible for licensing from 1 November 2022 due to taxi age limit requirements.

Speaking on the topic, Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “TfL will write to the owners of affected vehicles in advance of each licensing deadline to advise them of any opportunities they may have to license their vehicle for an extra year by coming in early for inspection, before 1 November.

“The phased approach to diesel taxi age limits, alongside support for delicensing and the uptake of Zero Emission Capable taxis, means we are back on track to meet the 2025 legal requirement to reduce NOx emissions from taxis by 65 per cent compared to 2013 levels.”