Pendle Council has published a new draft taxi licensing policy aimed at bolstering vehicle safety, ensuring driver suitability, and safeguarding the public against risks such as accidents, crime, and exploitation.

The proposed changes, soon to undergo public consultation, 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.

Recent vehicle spot-checks in Pendle have revealed significant issues, including problems with tyres, brakes, and seat belts, leading to clashes between councillors and the taxi trade on various aspects of regulation. These differences have encompassed the necessity of an app, the representation of hackney and private hire drivers, striking a balance between enforcement and collaboration, and streamlining disciplinary processes.

The ongoing disagreements even led to the resignations of Conservative councillors Kieran McGladdery and Richard O’Connor, and Liberal Democrat Cllr David Whipp from the cabinet, primarily over the perceived failure to prioritise public safety and the lack of insistence on a mobile app.

However, some councillors advocated for a different, more collaborative approach with the trade, suggesting the app could be mandated in the future if deemed necessary. They also highlighted the importance of taxi licensing revenue for the council.

Now, the council’s Taxi Licensing Committee is recommending a six-week public consultation on the new draft policy. Following this, the policy will be presented to the full council for formal adoption, incorporating any new feedback received.

A recent taxi committee report highlighted the long-standing nature of vehicle safety concerns, stating: “Mechanical standards in taxis has been an issue for Pendle over a number of years... After a number of years discussing with the trade how improvements could be made, the council change the licensing policy to require all taxis to be inspected each day, using an online app... In December 2024, a decision was taken to suspend the taxi app implementation for meaningful discussion with the trade.”

The introduction to the new draft policy emphasises a dual approach: “The vast majority of taxi drivers and operators are responsible people who make sure the public is protected. These polices are, however, aimed at ensuring every vehicle is safe and making sure we check every driver is a suitable person.”

It also underscores the broader social responsibility of the taxi trade, noting: “In other areas of the country, vulnerable people have been exploited, often in situations that could have been prevented had there been a greater awareness of their plight... it is important that we require all involved to have had training on issues involving child sexual exploitation and safeguarding of vulnerable people.”

Key proposed changes within the draft policy include:

• Vehicle age limits: Existing vehicles can operate until their 12-year limit. Euro 6 emission standard, hybrid, electric, or wheelchair-accessible vehicles (both existing and new) will have no age limit. New vehicle applications will only be accepted for these cleaner or accessible vehicle types.
• Testing: An annual MOT from any garage and a six-monthly taxi-specific test from a council-approved station will be mandatory.
• Road-worthiness: Vehicle proprietors with three MOT-classified dangerous or major failures within a two-year period will face the Taxi Licensing Committee.
• Spot-checks: Drivers whose vehicles fail a spot-check on dangerous or major items will face licence suspension: two weeks for the first failure, four weeks for the second, and a committee hearing for the third within two years.
• Private hire operator failure rule: The existing 50% failure rule for private hire operators is proposed for removal.
• Vehicle checks: Daily checks via an approved app or paper system will be required. Failure to conduct checks, comply with recorded issues, or providing false information will result in licence suspension, similar to spot-check failures.
• Knowledge test: The local area section of the knowledge test will be removed.
• Penalty points: A range of taxi-related offences under various Acts are listed, with associated penalty points for breaches.

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