South Staffordshire Council to launch 12-week consultation on taxi licensing changes
- Perry Richardson
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
South Staffordshire Council has approved a 12-week public consultation on proposed changes to taxi licensing conditions, policies, and guidelines.
The review follows new guidance issued by the Institute of Licensing in November 2024 and seeks to modernise and strengthen the council’s approach.
The updated guidelines aim to better protect the public by ensuring drivers and operators meet stricter ‘fit and proper’ standards. Key changes include longer exclusion periods following convictions for obstruction and regulatory offences, clearer rules around immigration and exploitation offences, and requirements for medical testing in cases involving substance misuse. A refreshed definition of violence to include offences against animals has also been added.
The council is collaborating with other West Midlands and West Mercia authorities to introduce uniform licensing conditions. By doing so, it hopes to counteract the practice of ‘licence shopping’, where applicants move between areas with less stringent rules.
New environmental standards are also under review. The council is proposing that from 1 January 2030, new vehicle licences will only be issued to ultra-low emission vehicles emitting less than 75g CO2/km. However, this move will depend on neighbouring authorities adopting similar measures to prevent operators relocating to less regulated areas.
Safety standards for vehicles are also being scrutinised. The council is consulting on whether to allow vehicles with only one rear passenger door. While this change could broaden the range of wheelchair-accessible vehicles available, it raises concerns over passenger safety.
The consultation will seek feedback from licence holders, trade groups, disabled user groups, magistrates, licensing authorities, and police forces. Costs for the consultation will be absorbed within existing budgets.
The results of the consultation will be brought back to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, with any new rules expected to be introduced after October 2025.
