West Berkshire puts forward new taxi licensing policy as part of national compliance push
- Perry Richardson
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
West Berkshire Council is set to adopt a comprehensive Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for the first time, following public consultation and in response to new government statutory standards.
The policy, which was considered by the council’s Licensing Committee on 22 September, seeks to consolidate a patchwork of existing licence conditions into one unified document. It aligns local standards with the Department for Transport’s (DfT) “Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards” issued in 2020, alongside best practice guidance updated in 2023.
Until now, West Berkshire has operated without a single overarching licensing policy, instead applying individual conditions to each licence type. The new 96-page draft policy brings together licensing rules for vehicles, drivers, and operators and sets clear expectations around safety, environmental performance, and driver conduct.
Key elements include mandatory safeguarding and disability awareness training, updated vehicle standards including Euro 6 compliance by 2027, and stricter rules around DBS checks, overseas conduct certification and medical fitness.
Daily vehicle checks by drivers are now required, along with proper record-keeping. A new penalty points system has also been introduced to standardise enforcement responses to minor and repeated breaches.
The council says the changes reflect growing concern nationally around passenger safety and driver suitability, particularly in light of past cases involving sexual exploitation and safeguarding failures elsewhere in the country.
The new framework strengthens the “fit and proper” test for drivers and operators. Officers and committee members must now consider whether they would be comfortable letting someone they care about travel alone with a driver under assessment.
Among the changes to operator conditions are requirements for booking staff to undergo DBS checks, a written policy on employing ex-offenders, and regular record submissions. All drivers must accept card payments and display contactless signage inside the vehicle.
The vehicle age policy has also been tightened. From 2027, all licensed vehicles must be Euro 6 compliant. Imported vehicles will not be accepted on new applications and will be phased out by 2027. Converted or category-damaged vehicles will no longer be licensed.
In terms of accessibility, all hackney carriages licensed since 2005 must remain wheelchair accessible. A set of older “protected plates” held by drivers under grandfather rights remain exempt, but the issue has been flagged for future review.
The policy introduces uniform signage and advertising rules, with specific requirements on roof signs, fare cards and council branding. Hackney carriage roof signs must now be connected to the meter, displaying appropriate fare status.
The consultation ran between March and May 2025, with officers meeting trade representatives and receiving 80 formal responses. These covered concerns over vehicle testing frequency, tyre tread depth, driver working hours, idling enforcement, and advertising terminology.
Some feedback from the trade was adopted, while others were overridden by statutory or legal constraints. The issue of “protected plates” was deferred for separate review due to its complexity and potential legal ramifications.
The council will monitor implementation as part of its annual reporting cycle and may consider transitional arrangements if required. A further round of consultation is also possible if material changes are made before final adoption.
If formally approved, the policy will remain in place for five years with a rolling review process, ensuring West Berkshire remains aligned with national policy and legal duties.
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