Derby City Council to vote on controversial five year vehicle age rule for Private Hire Drivers
Derby City Council to vote on controversial five-year vehicle age rule for private hire drivers
Derby City Council’s Licensing Committee is set to debate and vote on a contentious clause in the private hire vehicle spec that requires all private hire vehicles to be five years old or newer at the point of first licence.
The proposal, which follows a recent public consultation, will see councillors presented with the consultation findings before holding a discussion and formal vote. The issue has sparked strong reactions within the city’s private hire trade, with many local drivers arguing the clause places additional financial strain on those already operating under strict regulatory requirements.
Under current arrangements, private hire vehicles in Derby must meet specific age limits and environmental standards as outlined in the council’s terms and conditions. The proposed amendment introduced a tighter rule, limiting vehicles to five years old or newer when first licensed.
A key point of contention raised by drivers is the presence of a significant number of “out-of-town” licensed drivers operating within Derby. These drivers are licensed by other local authorities and therefore fall outside Derby City Council’s direct regulatory control. As a result, they are not required to undertake Derby specific local knowledge tests or city authorised driving assessments.
Local drivers argue that while they face increasingly stringent conditions, including knowledge tests, street stop vehicle compliance checks and authorised assessments, drivers licensed elsewhere can operate in the city without meeting the same standards.
“We feel that if a vehicle meets the required environmental specifications and remains within the maximum age bracket set out in the private hire terms and conditions, the choice of vehicle should ultimately rest with the driver,” one locally licensed driver said. “It should reflect their personal circumstances, financial situation and working style.”
Many in the trade say the five-year rule could force drivers to upgrade vehicles to unsuitable cars, increasing debt and financial pressure at a time when operating costs including fuel, insurance and vehicle maintenance are already rising.
Why Do We Feel So Strongly About This?
Local drivers say their opposition is rooted in pride and commitment to the city.
“We’re by Derby and for Derby,” a spokesperson said. “We live here, we work here, and we serve our community every day. Getting a local cab or a local ride should be made easier, not harder.”
Drivers argue that increasing restrictions on locally licensed vehicles risks discouraging drivers from licensing with Derby City Council, potentially leading to even more drivers choosing to licence elsewhere. They say this would further reduce the council’s oversight and weaken efforts to maintain high local standards.
The council’s consultation process gathered feedback from drivers, operators, and members of the public. The findings will now be reviewed by the Licensing Committee before members determine whether to adopt, amend, or reject the proposal.
The outcome of the vote could have significant implications for Derby’s private hire sector, potentially reshaping vehicle standards and adding to ongoing debate about fairness, enforcement and cross border licensing practices.
The Licensing Committee meeting is expected to take place March.