Posted on the 22nd June 2026 in PHTM News

DONCASTER TAXI POLICY FACES MAJOR OVERHAUL AFTER PUBLIC BACKS BAN ON INSURANCE WRITE-OFFS

City of Doncaster Council officials have recommended sweeping updates to the local taxi licensing policy, including a strict new ban on licensing any vehicle previously written off by an insurance company.

The move follows a 12-week public consultation that drew 545 responses, consisting of 53.4% taxi drivers, 44% members of the public, and 2.6% other respondents.

Under current rules, structural (Category S) and non-structural (Category N) write-offs can still be licensed if they pass a roadworthiness inspection.

However, the council's report highlighted significant safety concerns with this system, stating: "There is no standard level of inspection report to establish the suitability and safety of vehicles which have previously been written off."

Officials added that they have seen a wide variety of inspection reports, "with varying levels of detail and, in most cases, no clear indication that the vehicle is safe and roadworthy."

The consultation revealed a sharp division between the public and taxi drivers, with two-thirds of the trade voting to keep the existing rules. However, the wider results showed a "strong appetite" for change, with 250 combined votes backing a policy shift compared to 221 votes to keep things as they are.

Officials have ultimately recommended "option two" be adopted in the new hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy, which means the new ban will also apply to vehicles already licensed. To ease the transition and "remove potential risk to public safety," existing drivers will be given a three-year grace period to find a suitable replacement vehicle.

Beyond the write-off ban, officials have recommended scrapping the rule requiring new applicants to provide two-character references. Conversely, health checks will become stricter, requiring drivers to submit a medical certificate with every new application and renewal, and then annually once they reach the age of 65.

Looking ahead, the council's licensing committee will hold future meetings to dive deeper into three additional proposed changes: making in-car CCTV mandatory, introducing stricter vehicle exhaust emission limits, and deciding whether vehicle compliance testing must be done exclusively at DVSA-approved MOT centres.


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