Derby private hire drivers clash with council over vehicle age rule changes
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
A new licensing policy in Derby has prompted backlash from private hire drivers, as the council moves to cut the maximum age of newly licensed vehicles from 15 to just five years.
The GMB Union, representing hundreds of drivers in the city, says the decision risks the livelihoods of many who rely on older but compliant vehicles to earn a living. Under the updated policy, any vehicle being licensed for the first time after 1 April 2025 must be under five years old. Vehicles already licensed can continue to operate up to 15 years, provided they meet existing conditions.
The changes were originally agreed in 2019 but a communication error led some drivers to believe the 15-year limit applied to all vehicles. As a result, some bought replacement vehicles older than five years, believing them to be compliant. The council has admitted the mistake and issued an apology. A temporary grace period is in place until 31 March 2025 for those affected, allowing discretion if certain conditions are met, including proof of purchase within a specific date range.
Craig Thomson, GMB Regional Organiser, criticised the approach taken. He warned that without cooperation with drivers and the union, the council risks pushing working people out of the trade. Thomson also highlighted the contrast with neighbouring areas like Nottingham, where the limit for newly licensed vehicles stands at ten years.
Council documents show that a maximum 158 licence holders were misinformed due to the error. Only two have so far had the discretionary policy applied to their cases. The Licensing Committee is set to make a final decision on implementing the new rule from April.
The council has justified the shift as part of its wider strategy to modernise the private hire fleet and improve emissions standards. However, the union argues that the financial burden of this environmental transition is being placed squarely on drivers, many of whom now face costly vehicle upgrades or risk losing their licence.
Thomson said: “We all want a greener city, but these plans put all the burden on the working people of Derby.
“Private hire taxis are a central part of peoples' daily lives; these plans could see hundreds of the drivers forced out of work.
“Instead of working with drivers and their Union, the Tory opposition councillors pushing this change seem to be taking a one sided approach to reach the 2035 target.
“Working people make Derby and we won’t stand by if the voices of our city’s drivers are ignored."
