Hartlepool’s New Taxi Licensing Policy: Changes to Age & Euro 6 Rules

Hartlepool Council Proposes Changes to Taxi Licensing Policy

Hartlepool Borough Council has introduced a new draft licensing policy that will impact local taxi services, particularly around vehicle age limits and environmental standards. The new policy, recently approved by the council’s licensing committee, is set for consultation and is expected to be finalized after receiving feedback from both residents and taxi drivers.

One of the key changes includes the removal of the existing vehicle age restrictions, which previously only allowed taxis under five years old to be licensed. This shift aims to make it easier for operators to keep their vehicles in service longer.

Additionally, all licensed vehicles will be required to meet Euro 6 emissions standards by September 1, 2025. This is a delay from the original deadline of April 1, 2025, with wheelchair-accessible vehicles granted an extra year to comply. The Euro 6 standard, introduced in 2015, sets stringent limits on vehicle exhaust emissions, aiming to reduce air pollution.

Khalid Hussain, from Khalid Taxis, raised concerns at the meeting about the financial impact of these changes, particularly in light of the recent licensing of Uber in the town.

Khalid Hussain remarked:

"I’m worried about the costs and the impact Uber will have on local taxi businesses."

Currently, only 32 out of 225 licensed vehicles in the area do not meet the Euro 6 standard.