Taxis licensed by Darlington Council could soon be forced to be a specific shade of red

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Darlington Borough Council are reviewing their taxi licensing policy, and one of the changes that could take place is that hackney carriage cabs might have to be a particular shade of red.

The push comes as the council looks to ensure the safety of taxi passengers by making cabs easier to identify.

The colour proposed is the same as you would see on a Royal Mail vehicle or on an iconic Ferrari.

Discussions were heard at the council’s latest licensing meeting. Currently hackney carriage vehicles in Darlington are red, but the shade of red is not specific. Private hire vehicles licensed by the borough can be any colour except red.

Council members now want to introduce a basic red, Pantone 485, to make it easier for licensing to enforce.

James Button, who according to Darlington Borough Council, is one of the country’s leading taxi licensing solicitors, has recommended that policies specify a pantone colour to ensure consistency. Pantone is an internationally recognised colour chart where each shade has a specific number.

The argument from drivers is that the vehicle of their choice may not be available in that specific shade of red, limiting their options.

The council has said that if drivers want a particular make and model of vehicle which wasn’t available, then they would have to get the cab wrapped in the shade of red required for hackney carriage usage.