Leicester City Council revises taxi vehicle age policy increasing limits to 15 years

Leicester City Council has enacted a new vehicle age policy for taxis in response to the economic challenges facing the industry.

The Deputy City Mayor, responsible for Housing, Economy, and Neighbourhoods, approved the changes, which aim to balance financial relief for taxi operators with maintaining safety and environmental standards.

The key decision involves increasing the entry age for licensed vehicles from five to nine years, provided they meet Euro 6 emissions standards. Additionally, the renewal age for licensed vehicles has been extended from 11 to 15 years.

For vehicles over 11 years old, the number of mandatory inspections has increased from two to three annually. Conversely, newer vehicles under three years old will now require only one inspection each year, down from two. These changes will be implemented as soon as reasonably practicable.

This decision was driven by the current cost of living crisis, which has severely impacted the taxi trade. The council's consultation process showed strong support for these changes. Moreover, aligning with best practice guidelines, the policy aims to retain more licence holders, thereby ensuring the council can set and maintain appropriate standards.

Safety concerns have been addressed by increasing the inspection frequency for older vehicles and implementing unannounced spot checks. Meanwhile, reducing the number of inspections for newer vehicles will help manage the capacity at the Vehicle Testing Station.

Additionally, the requirement for new licensed vehicles to meet Euro 6 emissions standards ensures that air quality will not be compromised despite the policy change.

In considering this policy adjustment, the council also evaluated other options, such as amending the policy to different levels or removing it entirely. However, the approved changes are seen to offer a balanced solution that addresses the needs of the taxi industry while maintaining public safety and environmental standards.