.jpg)
Reading Borough Council could scrap taxi age limits just nine months after introducing them
Reading Borough Council is considering removing fixed vehicle age limits introduced only nine months ago, following concerns from the local taxi and private hire trade.
Councillors on the Licensing Applications Committee have been asked to approve a six-week consultation on replacing the current age-based system with one focused more heavily on emissions standards and how long vehicles remain licensed.
Under the proposals reported from the committee papers, Euro 5b and Euro 6 vehicles could remain licensed for up to 15 years, while ultra-low-emission vehicles could remain for up to 18 years.
The impact on fleet replacement could be substantial. Reading Daily reports council figures showing that 390 private hire vehicles would be removed between 2026 and 2031 under the current policy, compared with 88 under the proposed approach. For hackney carriages, the equivalent figures are 130 and 82.
Officers also propose allowing existing private hire vehicles to remain licensed under an interim arrangement, while newly licensed PHVs would initially need to meet at least Euro 5b rather than the present requirement to be ultra-low-emission and under five years old.
The review follows representations from the Reading Taxi Association and Reading Private Hire Association over vehicle availability and replacement costs. Council officers have also identified particular difficulties sourcing suitable seven-seat and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Separate proposals would widen the range of wheelchair-accessible taxis that can meet Reading’s specification, while retaining permanent private hire door stickers and the existing penalty for refusing wheelchair users.
The committee has been asked to approve consultation rather than adopt the final policy. Any permanent changes would return for a later decision, expected in 2027.
