
Residents, taxi drivers and private hire operators have only a couple of days left to share their views on proposed updates to Teignbridge Council’s taxi and private hire licensing policy.
The public consultation closes at midday on Friday, August 7, with the council urging anyone with an interest in the future of taxi and private hire services in the district to take part before the deadline.
The proposed changes are aimed at improving public safety, raising standards across the trade and supporting environmental sustainability.
The review is the first full overhaul of Teignbridge’s licensing framework in more than 15 years.
Although the existing policy has been updated over time to reflect changes in legislation, the new draft brings together national standards, legal requirements and local conditions into a single, clearer framework.
The council says the updated policy would strengthen enforcement, improve consistency and ensure passengers remain protected, while keeping requirements practical for drivers and operators.
Proposed changes include tougher checks on driver suitability, including knowledge assessments and language proficiency requirements, as well as mandatory training in safeguarding, disability awareness and recognising county lines exploitation.
The draft policy also sets out tighter standards for vehicles, emissions and record keeping, including daily vehicle checks by drivers and formal inspections every six months.
Other proposals include expectations that drivers should mainly operate within the Teignbridge area, new rules around in-vehicle CCTV and updated provisions for horse-drawn carriage services.
The consultation is open to taxi drivers, private hire operators, passengers, residents and other interested organisations. Feedback will be reviewed before the final policy is presented to full council later this year.
Anyone wishing to take part can view the draft policy and submit comments through the council’s website: https://shorturl.at/quXXO or by writing to the Licensing Team at Forde House, Newton Abbot.
The consultation closes at midday on Friday, August 7.

The decision marks a major milestone for ride-hailing giant Uber and British artificial intelligence firm Wayve, making London the first city in the world to deploy Wayve’s commercial autonomous technology. 

Emergency services were called to Asbridge Street at around 6.45am on Tuesday, 4 August, after a silver Toyota Corolla PHV collided with the property, causing visible damage to the vehicle.

The council has confirmed it has received a claim for a judicial review regarding "certain aspects" of its updated Hackney Carriage and PH Licensing Policy, which was originally approved on 19 March

Mohammad Karim, 27, was sentenced in his absence at Boston Magistrates' Court after failing to attend due to illness.

Under the proposal, which will now go to full council for final approval, the current ten-year age limit on licensed vehicles will be increased to 15 years exclusively for electric models.

The driver was parked on a nearby street waiting for his next booking after completing an Uber journey when an unknown man approached his car.

In meeting minutes detailing the refusal, the panel concluded that "on the balance of probabilities" the unnamed applicant was "not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence."

Local firms argue that the timing of the enforcement undermines their livelihoods during the most profitable period of the year.

Almost 18,000 drivers have received payouts between £300 and £500 under a Goodwill Payment Scheme, which was introduced to support those whose livelihoods were disrupted.

Now part of Vertu Motors following its acquisition last summer, the business continues to provide servicing, parts and specialist support tailored to professional drivers who own and run LEVC Hackney carriages

The drivers accepted unbooked fares from undercover licensing officers - violating strict regulations that stipulate only hackneys licensed within Trafford can be hailed directly in the borough.

The unannounced inspections were carried out to ensure licensed cabs continue to meet strict safety and reliability standards for local passengers.

Despite clear signage prohibiting taxis, local cabbies continue to block the area near the Platform 4 entrance, creating severe congestion for pedestrians and other motorists, especially during evening hours.

Ongoing works on major routes - including Tenter Street, Furnival Road, Clarkehouse Road, and Granville Road - are causing extensive delays, particularly during rush hour traffic.

Starting fares across all tariffs will increase by 30p - with tariff one rising from £2.60 to £2.90 - representing an average fare increase of around 4.28%, whilst tariff two will see a 10% rise.

Scot McCluskey, 37, pleaded guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court to assaulting the cabbie to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Liberty Mitchell, who had passed her driving test just three weeks prior to the December 2022 crash, was originally sentenced to six years and eight months at Gloucester Crown Court.

An investigation has revealed a dramatic rise in complaints against cabbies across Oxfordshire, with local councils logging 714 reports over 2025/26 - a significant leap from 601 the previous year

Following separate hearings on July 7, 2026, councillors concluded that each case raised serious doubts about whether the individuals remained "fit and proper" to hold or be granted a licence

The committee heard that the 10 per cent boost was considered a "reasonable" adjustment to help drivers cope with rising operational expenses since maximum fares were last raised in October 2022.
