Stoke-on-Trent taxis face stricter safety and emissions rules under new council plans
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Taxis in Stoke-on-Trent will soon operate under tougher safety and environmental rules after city councillors approved a series of licensing changes.
Under the updated policy, all taxi owners will now be required to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks covering unspent convictions and cautions. Drivers will continue to be subject to enhanced DBS checks, as well as mandatory safeguarding training. These courses, which cover the protection of children and vulnerable people, must be completed before work starts and repeated every three years.
The changes also advise that CCTV is installed in all vehicles. This measure is aimed at improving safety for both drivers and passengers.
Taxi drivers will be expected to report any police contact within 48 hours. Previously, the council allowed a seven-day period for such notifications. Additionally, all drivers will need to prove their right to work in the UK, either through a UK passport or a right-to-work share code.
Environmental changes form a key part of the new policy. From April 2031, only electric or hybrid taxis will be licensed. Petrol and diesel vehicles will be phased out over time, although low-emission, wheelchair-accessible vehicles will be allowed to remain in service for longer.
The new rules are part of a draft taxi and private hire licensing policy for 2025. The council has consulted with local drivers and operators, with the majority backing the planned changes.
Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning and governance at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “People often use taxis when they are at their most vulnerable, for example after a night out, or in the event of an emergency.
“Adding an additional layer of security to licensing policy is a vital step in community safety. We don’t want people to just get from ‘A to B’, we want passengers to feel safe and comfortable on their journey.
“It is fundamental the taxi firms play a part in building a safer and greener city for all with more than 1,760 city council licensed vehicles now operating in the city each year.”
