Your feedback on our taxi and private hire licensing changes proposals

1. Vehicle Emissions

These proposed changes to taxi and private hire vehicle licensing standards are to improve environmental impact made by licensed vehicles. The proposals include reducing emissions from older licensed vehicles by setting limits and encouraging the uptake of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) by removing the maximum age limit for new licences. Traditionally fuelled wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) are to remain an option for taxi drivers in the future where ZEVs replace normal saloons, estates and people carriers.

New - From 1 April 2027, all applications for vehicle licences, including renewals, must be for vehicles that comply with the latest London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards.

Amendment - Any ZEV licensed as a taxi or private hire vehicle is not required to be under 7 years old at first licensing provided all other requirements are met.

Amendment - Zero Emission Vehicles. The following Hackney Carriages must be zero emission vehicles only: Nos 201 to 210 (inclusive)

New - From 1 April 2030, when changing vehicles, any existing hackney carriages that are not required to be wheelchair accessible must only be replaced with either a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) or a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV).

2. Public Safety and Convenience

The following updates to the hackney carriage vehicle policy aim to enhance accessibility, public safety, and convenience for both drivers and passengers. These changes include improvements in passenger security through CCTV. Additionally, card and contactless payment options will ensure greater flexibility, reducing barriers to travel. These updates align with broader governmental initiatives and support a safer, more inclusive transport system.

Roof Signs

...The roof sign shall be a minimum width of 76.2 cm (30ins), shall have ‘TAXI’ lettering a minimum height of 127mm (5ins) and the words ‘Licensed by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’, and shall be mounted across the roof of the vehicle (excepting purpose built taxis).

New - Wheelchair accessible vehicles must display the blue and white wheelchair logo on the front and rear of the sign.

CCTV

New - From April 2027 all hackney carriages must have working and compliant CCTV installed.  Any CCTV system to be fitted must, as a minimum, meet the requirements set out in the relevant Annex.

Only CCTV systems meeting these requirements and approved by RBBC can be installed into licensed taxi and private hire vehicles.

CCTV systems installed in Taxis and PHVs will be inspected as part of the annual licensing inspection to ensure they do not pose a risk to the safety of the passengers or the driver and are fitted safely and securely.

Card and Contactless Payments

New - All hackney carriages must have a card payment terminal capable of accepting credit and debit card payments, including contactless transactions, and a method of providing receipts. The terminal must remain connected, properly maintained, and fully operational at all times including areas of no reception to ensure customers can pay by card. 

Hackney Carriages must display a sign facing outwards on the passenger windows indicating that credit, debit and contactless payments are accepted. 

Passengers must not be charged more for using a credit, debit or contactless payment method.

3. Changes to Vehicle Licensing Requirements

These proposed changes to taxi and private hire vehicle licensing standards are to improve safety, and clarity for vehicle owners and operators. The proposals include simplifying licensing requirements to enhance enforcement efficiency and ensuring vehicle modifications such as window tints meet safety standards for easier inspections. Other changes aim to clarify seating space requirements to reflect modern vehicle designs, strengthen public safety by ensuring all vehicles meet high-quality standards and original specifications, provide clearer guidelines for hire companies offering temporary accident replacement vehicles, and address concerns around modifications like sunroofs to prevent unsafe aftermarket installations.

We propose to remove the requirement to inspect vehicles 3 times a year if they are over 7 years old:

Amendment - Vehicles aged 7 years and over. If a vehicle aged 7 years or older from date of first registration is accepted for licensing, three mechanical inspections at the Council’s Earlswood Depot are required when the vehicle is licensed or relicensed. Inspections are to be 4 months apart.

Tinted Windows

Amendment - Where fitted, all tinted windows must be original manufacturer specified fitted tinted glass only and must comply with Regulation 32(1) of the Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 as amended, which defines the acceptable standard.  Any aftermarket window tinting film must be removed prior to licensing or relicensing or if directed by an authorised officer.

Passenger seats

Amendment - Minimum of 4, maximum of 8. Each passenger must have use of a manufacturer fitted 3-point seatbelt. The space in which a seat for 3 passengers is fitted must be at least 127 cm. It is recommended that Individual seats should be at least 41 cm wide. A seat for 3 passengers should be at least 127 cm wide.

Roof

Amendment - Solid roof which must be kept watertight. Convertibles, soft-tops and canvas type coverings will not be allowed but manufacturer fitted sunroofs may be permitted if not in excess of 50% of the roof area when open.

Insurance write offs

New - The council will not license vehicles that have been classified as Category ‘A’ (whole vehicle to be crushed), ‘B’ (body shell to be crushed) or ‘S’ write offs (structural damage). A Category 'N' (non-structural damage) vehicle can be licensed provided it is repaired to a roadworthy and factory showroom condition.

Signs and Notices

Amendment - We propose to allow the following signs and notices in addition to the existing list:

g) Stickers /QR codes in vehicle directing passengers to report compliments and complaints to the council
h) Blue and white standard wheelchair accessible signs and stickers
i) Credit, debit and contactless accepted signs and stickers
j) CCTV signs and stickers

Insurance temporary replacement vehicles

New - Hire companies and operators that provide vehicles or temporary replacement vehicles must:
If a Hackney Carriage, provide a like for like vehicle where wheelchair accessible or zero emissions.
Where the vehicle is replacing a specific Hackney Carriage, the plate must be surrendered at the end of the hire unless wheelchair accessible.

For all vehicles, Inform the council of the licensed driver using the vehicle.
Inform the council of the start and end of the hire.
Where no hirer is stated at the end of a hire, the vehicle licence will be suspended.

4. Changes to Driver Licensing Requirements

The council is seeking views on proposed updates to licensing requirements for taxi and private hire vehicle drivers. These proposals aim to enhance public safety, streamline the application process, and ensure compliance with legal obligations. Key areas under review include the requirement for adequate driving experience, English language proficiency, updating medical assessments, safeguarding knowledge, and timely disclosure of medical conditions. Additionally, the consultation covers the implementation of mandatory disability awareness training in line with the Equality Act. We invite feedback to ensure that these measures are fair, effective, and beneficial for both drivers and passengers.

Driving licence

Amendment - You must have held a full Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) driving licence (or a driving licence issued by a country in the European Union or designated country or territory with exchange agreements with Great Britain) continuously for 36 months. Your driving licence must have your current address. You will sign a form authorising a driver licence checking agency to supply the Council with information held on the DVLA computer.

English Test

New - Applicants for private hire and/or hackney carriage licences must pass a council approved English language test unless they already hold a recognised qualification in English language.
If there is a valid reason to believe that a licence holder’s English language skills, numeracy skills, or understanding of licensing requirements need to be reassessed due to a  complaint or a concern raised, an authorised officer may require the licence holder, in writing, to complete the necessary tests at their own expense within a specified timeframe.

Medical report

Amendment - When you apply for your first licence you will provide a medical report completed by a doctor at your registered practice or by the council's approved medical examiners who have access to your medical records, on the Council form (at your own expense). A medical report must be less than six months old. If you are over 45 years old you will provide a medical report every three years, and if you are over 65 years old you will provide a medical report every year.

Change in medical condition

New - Licence holders must inform the Council as soon as possible but in any event within 5 days of any change in medical condition affecting the Group 2 standard (The same standard as HGV and PSV drivers). Check with the DVLA whether any changes in medical condition affect your DVLA driving licence.

Safeguarding training

Amendment - All drivers must successfully complete the online awareness training. New drivers must do this before their licence is granted.
Renewing drivers must complete the online refresher training before the licence is granted.

Disability Awareness Training

New - From 1 April 2027, all new and renewing applicants for a private hire or hackney carriage driver licence must complete the council's mandatory disability awareness training.

Time Limit on Applications

New - All required information and testing for private hire operator, private hire and hackney carriage driver licences must be completed within 6 months of submission of application. Unless there are exceptional and compelling circumstances any application with outstanding information or testing is deemed refused after 6 months.

5. Changes to Private Hire Operator and Driver Licensing Requirements

These proposed updates to private hire operator and driver licensing requirements to ensure better compliance, enhanced public safety, and improved service standards. The proposed changes include new reporting obligations for private hire drivers and operators, mandatory operator disability awareness training, and revised Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

Change of Operator

New - Private hire drivers must notify the council of any change in operator as soon as possible in any case within 5 days of the change.

Information Required from Operators

New - Private hire operators with 5-year licences must provide on the anniversary of grant of the licence, a list of vehicles (index and plate number, make and model) and drivers operated.

Operator Disability Awareness Training

New - From 1 April 2027, all private hire vehicle operator licence applicants must complete the council's mandatory disability awareness training. Existing operators must complete this by 31 March 2028.

Operator Safety and Suitability

New - New private hire operators will be required to pass a safety and suitability test to check knowledge of relevant regulations and conditions, demonstrate operating procedures and ensure passenger safety.

Operator Criminal Record Check

Amendment - Applicants for a private hire operator licence must provide a basic DBS unless already obtained a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced or Standard Disclosure (which must be less than 6 months old).  Private hire operators with 5-year licences who do not subscribe to the DBS update service (as licensed drivers) must provide a basic DBS annually on the anniversary of grant of the licence.

Operator Moving to New Premises

New - Any private hire operator moving to another address in the borough must make a new application for a licence to be granted.