Transport for London has not agreed to suspend the 12-year age limit on London taxis. In a letter dated 6 October 2026, Danny Price, Director of Sponsored Services and Regulatory Compliance, told the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association that the position would stay under review. The letter is printed in the TAXI newspaper of 13 October. TaxiPoint reported it on 17 October.
The letter answers one from Steve McNamara, the association's general secretary, dated 16 September. Price writes that it concerned LEVC's confirmation that it will launch the next generation TX6 taxi in 2027, and McNamara's request that TfL temporarily suspend the 12-year taxi vehicle age limit.
What Price wrote
Price says TfL welcomes LEVC's investment in, and commitment to, London's taxi trade. He writes that the announcement of a new purpose-built, fully Condition of Fitness compliant vehicle "is positive news for the industry and for passengers", and that it demonstrates continued confidence in the future of London's iconic taxi service.
He writes that TfL continues to engage with other manufacturers looking to develop or adapt vehicles that meet London's taxi licensing requirements, and that it will keep talking to LEVC and other stakeholders as plans for the new vehicle progress.
On supply, he writes: "We recognise the concerns you have raised regarding vehicle supply during the period between the cessation of production of the TX5 and the introduction of the TX6, and the potential impact this may have on drivers seeking to access a new vehicle during this period."
He says TfL will "continue to monitor the situation closely, including the availability of vehicles across the market and any implications for fleet numbers and customer demand."
He writes that drivers have options besides buying a new vehicle. Those include leasing arrangements and the second-hand market. TfL will keep assessing those options, "alongside any emerging evidence on vehicle supply."
The letter does not say the age limit will be suspended or changed. It says TfL will assess whether any mitigating measures may be required so drivers can access suitable vehicles and continue operating in the capital. Any such considerations, Price writes, would need to take account of the effects on passengers, drivers, vehicle standards and air quality.
He ends by saying TfL will "keep the position under review as the transition to the next generation of taxi vehicles progresses."
What McNamara told members
In the same issue, McNamara writes: "We are taking lots of calls and emails from members who are concerned about the possible shortage of cabs, as older cabs fall foul of the 12-year age limit. It's seeing more and more come off licence, and with the new TX6 not arriving till next year, I share their concerns."
He writes that he asked TfL for "a hiatus on the age limit pending the arrival of the new cab" as soon as the TX6 was confirmed. He writes: "I am still waiting for a final decision that I suspect won't be made until next month."
He calls Price's letter a holding letter. He writes: "How you read it, or what you read into it depends on whether you are a glass half full or empty kind of person. For what it's worth, my interpretation is that it's neither— its simply the TfL way of saying 'Hang on, we are looking at it'."