NO LIMITS: West Suffolk Council backs taxi driver’s call for taxi age limit licensing policy to be dropped
West Suffolk Council’s Cabinet has agreed to amend its licensing policy after a taxi driver raised concerns over vehicle age limits.
The driver highlighted the issue at a forum earlier this year, questioning the council’s policy that would have required all taxis and private hire vehicles to be no older than 15 years from April 2024. This rule, set in 2022, aimed to reduce pollution by phasing out older, higher-emission vehicles. Electric and zero-emission vehicles were exempt.
During the forum, the driver pointed to updated Government guidance, which suggested that setting a strict age limit might not be the best approach. Instead, it recommended managing emissions through regular vehicle testing.
Following the forum, Cllr Gerald Kelly, Cabinet Member for Governance, Regulatory and Environment, wrote to the trade in January, confirming that the age limit would not be enforced while the council reviewed the policy.
At a meeting on 11 March, Cabinet members formally approved the amendment, ensuring the policy now aligns with Government advice.
Cllr Kelly said: “I’m delighted that the driver raised this at the forum, that we listened, and we are delivering change. That is what the forum was created for – for drivers and operators to voice any issues or concerns, to have a discussion and work together to a solution.
“Ultimately, we, as the licensing authority, and the trade want the same things. We need the taxi trade to thrive and to continue to support our communities and the local economy.
“Customers need to not only feel, but to be safe getting into a taxi and to have confidence in both the driver and the vehicle. People of all ages and abilities need to be able to access taxis and to feel they are getting a high standard of service. And there are national changes including the eventual phasing out of new petrol and diesel cars, that we need to work together with the trade on.
“We want to have more of an open dialogue with the trade, and so I’m hoping this example of positive change will encourage more drivers and operators to come along to the forum and work positively toward these common goals.”
