SEVENTEEN YEARS: Manchester City Council backs taxi trade increasing vehicle age limits by two years
- Perry Richardson
- May 2
- 2 min read
Updated: May 5
Manchester City Council has approved changes to taxi and private hire vehicle age limits, offering more time for drivers to operate existing vehicles before needing to upgrade. The move is designed to ease financial pressure while continuing the city’s push toward cleaner air and a modernised fleet.
Purpose-built Hackney Carriages and wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles can now be licensed for up to 17 years, up from the previous 15. Non-wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles can now remain licensed until they reach 12 years of age, two years longer than the previous threshold.
The decision comes in response to feedback from the trade, with drivers raising concerns about the rising cost of compliant vehicles and the limited availability of suitable models. A recent survey by trade union Unite showed that 80% of Hackney owners surveyed were considering giving up their plates if policies didn’t change.
These changes follow confirmation that the £30.5m originally requested to support the taxi trade under the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan was not fully backed by government. Only £8m in funding has been secured, targeted specifically at Hackney carriages. The private hire sector, despite transitioning to around 90% emissions compliance, has not been granted direct financial support.
To support the sector, the council has also delayed the emissions compliance deadline to 31 December 2026. This gives vehicle owners more time to adapt while participating in a wider engagement programme aimed at shaping the allocation of the Clean Taxi Fund and influencing future licensing policy.
The council noted that age limits remain only one part of a wider set of licensing conditions. All licensed vehicles must still pass regular compliance tests and meet safety and cleanliness standards.
With Manchester’s taxi fleet facing rising costs and supply issues, the extended age limits are intended to keep the trade viable while maintaining public safety and progressing towards lower-emission transport across the city.
