
Taxi and private hire drivers in Peterborough could soon be forced to replace older vehicles as the city council considers sweeping changes to its licensing policy.
Under the proposed Taxi and Private Hire Policy for 2026-2031, officials want to scrap acquired rights - commonly known as grandfather rights - for vehicles licensed before July 2022 to modernise the city's ageing fleet.
The potential shake-up also includes mandatory financial checks for all new and renewal operator applications to prevent money laundering and ensure companies can safely manage vulnerable passenger transport contracts.
Other adjustments on the table involve setting a maximum licensing age of 18 years for zero-emission vehicles, introducing a broad hybrid category covering mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and potentially moving from the current certificate of compliance testing to an MOT-only model while expanding testing centre options for drivers.
While the council argues the updates will enhance safety and align with national standards following the Baroness Casey review, local trade representatives are pushing back against several key measures.
The Peterborough Private Hire Association welcomed moves toward greener hybrid options and increased testing capacity, but strongly opposed reducing vehicle age limits, scrapping grandfather rights, and introducing unverified financial checks.
Addressing the scale of the upcoming reforms, Jacqui Harvey, head of the city council's regulatory services, stated: "The proposed policy changes are likely to have a significant impact on the licensed trade.
"Increased safeguarding of vulnerable passengers is paramount, particularly where taxi and private hire services are used to deliver passenger transport contracts or support other journeys involving children, young people, adults at risk or those who may be vulnerable due to their circumstances."
Licensing committee members are set to review the proposals and decide whether to launch a one-month public consultation.
In response, the Peterborough Private Hire Association confirmed it is organising meetings with drivers and proprietors to formulate a formal objection, stating that while they support genuine safety improvements, they will "firmly challenge unjustified restrictions and unnecessary costs being placed upon the trade."

Jonathan Mitchell, 25, targeted the cabbie after changing destinations multiple times in South Shields, prompting the driver to radio his control room for police assistance.

The private hire driver was caught operating a silver Renault Master that carried the children - including a wheelchair user - and a passenger assistant to a school in Chorley.

The meeting covered concerns about the knowledge test and the promised Licensing Panel safeguard after three failed attempts - including an experienced driver who has been unable to work while his renewal remains unresol

The key objective of Glasgow Taxis’ trained and PVG-checked marshals is to help the public access a taxi safely and as quickly as possible at designated ranks, particularly at the conclusion of highly attended events.

Ipswich BC's Executive is being asked to approve a public consultation at a meeting on September 8. If no objections are raised, the revised tariffs could come into effect on October 13.

The company, which launched in Nigeria in 2014 and Uganda two years later, described the move as a difficult decision.

The taxi trade in Stirling as well as members of the public are to be consulted over proposals to increase taxi fares by 11.7 per cent and to introduce new tariffs to cover the festive period.

Warwick DC's cabinet is set to decide on 9 September, whether to approve the rise for the area's 127 hackneys, which would mark the first adjustment to the maximum permitted charges in two years.

Mohammad Anwar had his renewal application rejected by Glasgow City Council's licensing committee following a formal objection raised by Police Scotland.

Mark Johnson, owner of Lincs Coast Taxis, met Sarah after picking up the family - she explained her son Oliver had been treated that day for a brain tumour, the driver was deeply moved.

Tom Hayes MP recently hosted a meeting with taxi and private hire drivers at St Saviour's Church to hear about the reforms they would recommend as the Government brings forward a draft law.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, 2 September, at around 5.40pm as the victim was walking towards the city centre. 

Cardiff-based private hire technology firm Veezu has purchased Triple 20 Taxi Cars, adding around 270 self-employed drivers across Dudley and Sandwell to its growing regional network.

Users across the city can be matched with a driverless Ford Mustang Mach-E, though the chances are currently slim with only 15 vehicles licensed out of the capital's 100,000 Ubers.

Under the scheme, penalty points can be issued for minor infringements of licence conditions. The points issued will depend on the nature and seriousness of the breach and will remain on a driver’s record for three years

The comprehensive updates, which took effect on September 1, 2026, streamline the application process for drivers while modernising vehicle standards and passenger requirements across the county.

The licensing sub-committee greenlit the fare adjustment following a low-turnout public consultation where participants highlighted cost-of-living pressures.

The local authority held the urgent meeting to implement a temporary licensing change after iCars boss Neil McLennan was ordered to strip remembrance emblems from his fleet of taxis.

Somerset Council’s executive committee is expected to approve the new tariff structure today, 2 September, to help drivers cope with mounting fuel and insurance expenses.

Leon Gladdis, 29, of Newport, admitted to aggravated vehicle taking when he appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court last month, reversing an earlier not-guilty plea.
