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Walsall Council removes taxi and private hire vehicle age limits as new licensing rules take effect
Walsall Council’s revised taxi and private hire vehicle standards take effect today, removing age limits for new vehicle licences and introducing different inspection schedules for electric, hydrogen and conventional vehicles.
Under the new policy, vehicles of any age can be considered for a first hackney carriage or private hire licence, provided they meet the council’s safety, suitability and technical requirements. Older vehicles are not automatically eligible.
The changes follow a consultation launched in December 2025 on vehicle age limits, inspection frequency, identification requirements and vehicle suitability. The council’s updated licensing handbook, issued on 28 September 2026, sets out the revised standards.
Fully electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles less than 10 years old must pass a full MOT and compliance inspection each year. Conventional vehicles, and electric vehicles aged 10 or more, require an annual MOT and compliance inspection as well as an interim compliance inspection at around six months.
The council can require additional inspections if concerns arise about a vehicle’s safety or suitability. Excessive wear or repeated serious inspection advisories may also lead to more frequent testing. Licensing officers can suspend, revoke or refuse a vehicle licence if standards are not met.
Applicants must still show that their vehicles meet mechanical, structural, appearance and passenger safety requirements. Walsall’s guidance says vehicles must be manufactured as right-hand drive, carry four to eight passengers and provide adequate access and luggage space. Tyres must retain at least 3mm of tread throughout the licensing period.
Hackney carriages must remain wheelchair accessible and able to carry a passenger seated in a reference wheelchair measuring 700mm by 1,200mm. Drivers must also record vehicle checks before use and make those records available to licensing officers on request.
The removal of age limits may allow proprietors to keep suitable vehicles in service for longer or consider older vehicles that previously fell outside the licensing criteria. Any financial benefit will depend on each vehicle’s condition, maintenance costs and the expense of meeting inspection requirements.
The inspection schedule could mean fewer routine tests for proprietors operating newer electric or hydrogen vehicles. The council says a complete vehicle licensing application can take up to two weeks to process, and paperwork must be submitted at least five working days before the scheduled MOT and compliance inspection.
