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VEHICLE AGE AND REGULATION SURVEY

This month’s tables set out the full council list of hackney and private hire vehicle age restrictions; specifically what age each council will first license a vehicle and the maximum allowable vehicle age.
There are various councils that don’t do this by age of the vehicle but by emission levels: please refer to the Key to Symbols and Emission Guidelines tables for further information.
We also highlight the councils that still impose a regulated cap on hackney carriage vehicles in their area and, where applicable, the numbers allowed. How does your council compare?

UNITARY AUTHORITIES
There are a number of unitary authorities which govern the fees for various licensing authorities. Click here to see a full list as your licensing authority might be among them.

Filter by Council:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

KEY:
? = Information not supplied
N/A = Councils don’t uniformly have either a minimum age of vehicle or age to which it can still be licensed NEW Only new vehicles allowed for first licence
E = First licence age is dependent on emission guidelines rather than age of vehicle. There are various guidelines for each stated council. See individual table
▲ = Congleton only
* = No limit in regulation cap for WAVs in Fylde.
● Vehicles have to be new in Chester
× 15 years if WAV
✔ On application but council reviews on emission levels, no confirmed structure

SALFORD

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
4 13

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
4 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SANDWELL

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SCARBOROUGH

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
4 7

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
4 7

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES 105



SCOTTISH BORDERS

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
7 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
7 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SEDGEMOOR

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SEFTON

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
11 11

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
8 8

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES 274



SELBY

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SEVENOAKS

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
6 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
6 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SHEFFIELD

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 15

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 9

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES 857



SHEPWAY

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
3 7

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
3 7

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SHETLAND ISLANDS

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
2 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
2 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SHROPSHIRE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A✔ N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SLOUGH

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 9

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 9

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES 107



SOLIHULL

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH AYRSHIRE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 11

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
4 7

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH BUCKS

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
7 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
7 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH CAMBRIDGE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH DERBYSHIRE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A 8

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH GLOUCESTER

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 15

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 15

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH HAMS

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH HOLLAND

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
10 N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH KESTEVEN

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
7 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
7 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH LAKELAND

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH LANARKSHIRE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
7 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES 262



SOUTH NORFOLK

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH NORTHANTS

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
6 N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
6 N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH RIBBLE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
4 12

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
4 12

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH SOMERSET

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTH TYNESIDE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SOUTHAMPTON

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
9 9

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
9 9

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES 236



SOUTHEND

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 8

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 8

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES



SPELTHORNE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
9 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
9 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



ST ALBANS

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



ST HELENS

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES



STAFFORD

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
4 8

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
4 8

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



STAFFS MOORLANDS

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



STEVENAGE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
E N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES 100



STIRLING

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES 75



STOCKPORT

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES 135



STOCKTON-ON-TEES

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
E N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
E N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



STOKE-ON-TRENT UA

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
7 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
7 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



STRATFORD-ON-AVON

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
3 12

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
3 7

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



STROUD

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SUFFOLK COASTAL

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
N/A N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SUNDERLAND

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 7

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 7

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
YES 349



SURREY HEATH

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
3 6

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
3 6

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SWALE

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
8 10

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
8 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SWANSEA

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
NEW N/A

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 N/A

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



SWINDON

HACKNEY
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 15

PRIVATE HIRE
Maximum age at first licence Age when it can no longer be licensed
5 10

HACKNEY
Is there a cap on numbers Maximum numbers allowed
NO



Some councils license vehicles based on emission levels rather than age of vehicle. These are detailed below.

Durham - Must be Euro 5 compliant
Exeter - Must not exceed stated CO2 emission level. See council for exact level
London - Euro 6 compliant (hackney) Five year Euro 4 (private hire)
Rushmoor - Needs to meet council guideline on Euro emission levels
Stevenage - Needs to be Euro 5 compliant (hackney)
York - P Euro 5 and D Euro 6 (hackney and private hire). See council for further guidelines

May we thank each licensing authority for supplying the figures for this table. We look forward to receiving information from those councils who have yet to respond.

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