Follow PHTM
Posted on the 19th May 2025 in PHTM News
DERBY PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS RALLY AGAINST STRICT NEW VEHICLE AGE RULE
Dozens of private hire drivers in Derby staged a protest rally on Wednesday, May 14th, expressing their strong opposition to a new Derby City Council rule concerning the age of newly licensed vehicles.
The regulation, implemented in April, mandates that private hire vehicles must be five years old or less when first licensed by the authority.
While existing licensed vehicles up to 15 years old can still be used, drivers fear the "strict" new rule could lead to business closures if their vehicles are damaged or deteriorate. They also argue it could deter new drivers from entering the trade.
Michael Rowlands, owner of a local private hire firm and initiator of an online petition against the rule, stated: "This particular clause affects every Derby driver and we will not have a private hire industry if the council put these barriers in place. It is a problem – it just does not make any sense."
The GMB union, representing the drivers, echoed these concerns, predicting a "big impact" as drivers might face significant costs to replace vehicles with newer models if their current ones are compromised.
The union claims the expense of a vehicle less than five years old could reach around £15,000, potentially forcing drivers out of business or prompting them to seek licenses elsewhere.
Derby City Council maintains the new age limit aims "to ensure vehicles are in good condition and more likely to meet current safety and emissions standards," asserting that most drivers will not be affected.
A Derby City Council spokesperson acknowledged the protest, saying: "We acknowledge and respect the right of private hire drivers to peacefully protest.
"We have received their petition outlining concerns regarding the change to licensing requirements and will give it careful consideration before providing a formal response in due course."
The petition has been submitted to the council for review.
Read another story
- NORTH KESTEVEN COUNCIL'S ACTION VINDICATED AS CABBIE LOSES LICENCE AFTER REPEATED SPEEDING
Enus Karim, has permanently lost his licence to operate, concluding an extended legal battle that saw North Kesteven DC's decision to revoke his licence upheld by both Magistrates and Crown Courts.
- EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL MAKES DECISION ON TAXI FARES
East Renfrewshire Council has completed its fare review, which includes consultation with the taxi trade, and the fares will remain unchanged.
- SPEEDING WILMSLOW PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER SPARED BAN TO PROTECT LIVELIHOOD AND FAMILY HOME
Akhtar pleaded guilty on April 23 to exceeding the 40mph speed limit on the A555 Ringway Road West in Manchester on October 5, 2023, while driving a Skoda Octavia.
- UBER DECLARES ITS READY TO GO FOR DRIVERLESS TAXI ROLLOUT IN UK
Andrew Macdonald, Uber's senior vice president of mobility, told the BBC the company is prepared to introduce robotaxis as soon as the "regulatory environment is ready."
- TWO MEN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF CLASS B DRUG OFFENCES IN WALTON
Officers were on Neston Street at around 2.50pm on Thursday 15 May, when they saw four males inside a Mercedes Vito.
- WELSHPOOL CABBIE IS FINED BUT AVOIDS BAN AFTER DRIVING WITHOUT DUE CARE OR ATTENTION
Keith Bonner, 57, was seen reversing into oncoming traffic and then later forcing an elderly man to take evasive action on a zebra crossing in Welshpool town centre.
- AYRSHIRE DRIVER GIVEN LICENCE EXCEPTION AS LIFE-CHANGING EVENTS CAUSE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
A cabbie has been granted a temporary licence exception by North Ayrshire Licensing Committee, allowing her to use a standard car instead of a WAV that has become prohibitively expensive to repair.
- WARRINGTON POLICE CRACK DOWN ON TAXI SAFETY AMID LICENSING CONCERNS
Several taxis underwent checks during the operation. Working in conjunction with Wolverhampton Council licensing officers, a number of breaches of licence conditions were reportedly identified.
- PENDLE COUNCIL UNVEILS NEW DRAFT TAXI LICENSING POLICY AMIDST PAST DISPUTES
The proposed changes follow a period of contention surrounding taxi vehicle safety and maintenance, as well as disagreements over the implementation of a mobile phone app for checks and enforcement.
- WIRRAL CABBIE TO PAY £760 FOR REFUSING BLIND WOMAN WITH HER GUIDE DOG
The incident occurred in January when Monica Price, an 80-year-old registered blind woman, had booked two taxis with Argyle Taxis in Birkenhead for a meeting in Wallasey.
- LEEDS HACKNEY CARRIAGES COULD BE FORCED TO ACCEPT CASHLESS PAYMENTS BY JULY
The move comes in response to concerns about passenger safety and complaints that some drivers are refusing card payments despite having the necessary equipment.
- RACIST RAMPAGE MAN FINED AFTER TRASHING STAFFS TAXI WHEN DRIVER REFUSED A50 TRIP
A 53-year-old man, Andrew Dolan, has been slapped with a £1,152 court bill after he unleashed a racist tirade and violently damaged a taxi in Longton.
- LONDON COUNCILS CHAMPIONING ANTI CAR SCHEMES ACCUSED OF HYPOCRISY OVER STAFF TAXI USE
These councils, often lauded by environmental groups, are under scrutiny for their expenditure on chauffeurs and minicabs, seemingly contradicting their public stance on reducing car usage.
- POLICE HUNT MAN IN RED AFTER BINGLEY TAXI DRIVER ASSAULT
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, April 12th, in the Littlelands area, following a dispute over the fare.
- TELFORD AND WREKIN COUNCIL EASES WINDOW TINT RULES IN BID TO BOOST DRIVER NUMBERS
The licensing committee heard on Tuesday 13 May that road-legal tints still allow passengers to be seen in silhouette from outside the vehicle, ensuring sufficient visibility.
- UBER CHIEF CLAIMS ABERDEEN AIRPORT TAXI RULE CHANGE HIGHLIGHTS CITY'S CAB SHORTAGE
The ride-hailing giant contends that the temporary relaxation of operating rules underscores a significant shortage of taxis that is "holding back the city."
- GLASGOW CABBIE JAILED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OUTSIDE COURT AFTER BEING DEFRAUDED BY VICTIM
Awet Teame, 32, carried out the attack outside Glasgow Sheriff Court on March 1 last year, the same day his victim, Bekezela Ncube, was due to stand trial for defrauding him of £9,000.
- ANGUS TAXI FARES SET FOR POTENTIAL DOUBLE DIGIT RISE AMID MINIMUM WAGE PRESSURES
Taxi fares in Angus could see a significant increase of up to 11% following a vote by the Angus Civic Licensing Committee on Thursday 15 May.
- UNLICENSED TAXI DRIVER OPERATED IN CHICHESTER FOR TWO YEARS CLAIMS LOCAL FIRM
A letter from Starline Sussex, which operates out of Market Road, questioned a statement from a licensing committee report which said that ‘promoting public safety and protecting the travelling public’ was a priority.
- CHAUFFEUR SLAMS DESPICABLE LONDON ROADS AFTER POTHOLE CAUSES CAR DAMAGE AND LOST INCOME
Andy Sozos is now in a dispute with Brent Council, which has refused to pay for the damage, claiming it was "not aware of the pothole until after the incident."
