Posted on the 1st August 2025 in PHTM News

HARTLEPOOL COUNCIL APPROVES TAXI LICENSING CHANGES OVER DRIVER CONCERNS

Hartlepool council chiefs have given their unanimous approval to a new taxi licensing policy, introducing significant changes to the borough's hackney carriage and private hire rules.

The move comes after a consultation with drivers and residents, despite some drivers appealing for more time to prepare.

A key change is the removal of all vehicle age limits, a shift from the previous requirement that vehicles be under five years old.

Additionally, all licensed vehicles must be Euro 6 compliant by September 1, 2025. This deadline was extended from an initial April 1 date, with an additional year granted for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. 

The council's decision was made despite calls from some drivers for another extension.

A December petition and several cabbies at the meeting raised concerns about the costs of upgrading vehicles and the impact of Uber's recent licensing in the area.

However, council officers stated that the Euro 6 standard was first introduced into council policy in 2019 but was delayed due to Covid. They argued this provided "the trade with six years to financially plan and implement the changes which the majority of vehicle owners have achieved."

Councillor Carole Thompson echoed this sentiment, stating the council had "put this off on several occasions" and that drivers have "had sufficient time to renew vehicles."

Of the 219 licensed taxis in Hartlepool, only 29 are not yet Euro 6 compliant.

Other policy updates include new rules on insurance write-offs and a requirement for new drivers to pass a council-approved driving assessment upon application, rather than within their first year.


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