Windsor and Maidenhead's Licensing Panel has backed a longer working life for licensed vehicles that miss the cleaner-emissions tests. On 12 October, councillors agreed those hackney carriages and private hire vehicles could stay licensed for 15 years from first registration. The officer report had recommended 12 years. A vehicle would still have to be no more than five years old when first licensed.
The Slough Express reports the vote was unanimous. Councillor Sian Martin said drivers were having a hard time, and that livelihoods came first. The minutes are not on the council site yet.
Cleaner vehicles
The report still recommends that, from 1 April 2027, zero-emission, Euro 6, ultra-low-emission and zero-emission-capable vehicles would have no licensing age limit. That would cover vehicles already on the fleet and new ones. From 1 April 2028, every newly licensed hackney carriage and private hire vehicle would have to be Euro 6, ultra-low-emission or zero-emission capable.
Councillors agreed to leave open the later rule that would have required newly licensed vehicles to be ultra-low-emission or zero-emission capable from 1 April 2030. Councillor Mark Wilson called that date too aggressive. Councillor Mandy Brar suggested 2040. The Express reports the panel agreed, unanimously, to keep the date flexible.
Consultation
The changes are not in force. The panel was asked to consult the trade and other interested people before a final decision. The Express says that consultation started on 13 October. The report puts the feedback, and a final decision, at the Licensing Panel on 8 February 2027.
TaxiFeed set out the original proposals before the meeting.
Wheelchair-accessible hackney carriages are currently no more than three years old when first licensed, and can then stay licensed with no age cap. Other hackney carriages, and private hire vehicles, are no more than five years old at first licence and can stay licensed until 12 years from first registration.