Private hire drivers protest over council’s plan to cut vehicle age limit to just five years
- Perry Richardson
- 7 hours ago
- 1 min read
Private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers in Derby have voiced strong opposition to council plans that would drastically reduce the age limit of vehicles eligible for private hire licences.
Almost 100 drivers attended a rally organised by GMB union outside Derby City Council’s offices this week. The demonstration was part of an ongoing campaign against proposals to cut the licensable age of vehicles from 15 years to just 5 for new licence applications.
The GMB, which represents private hire drivers across the region, said the proposed change could lead to many drivers being forced out of the trade due to the cost of purchasing newer vehicles.
Private hire drivers have urged the Conservative Chair of the Council’s Licensing Committee, Cllr Alison Holmes, to reverse the decision. Despite the protest and calls for reconsideration, the committee has yet to announce any changes.
Campaigners argue that while the push for lower-emission transport is necessary, the cost of upgrading vehicles should not fall solely on drivers already managing tight margins.
Craig Thomson, GMB Regional Organiser, criticised the policy. He said: “This rally has sent a clear message that Derby’s Private Hire Drivers will not be ignored.
“We all want a greener city, but these plans put all the burden on the working people of Derby. There is a real sense of outrage over this decision, which threatens putting drivers out of work.
“The Conservative Councillors in charge of the City’s Licensing Committee are pushing policies designed to make Derby greener, but will only result in local people being poorer.”
