Petition to the Licensing Committee at DCC: Please remove the need to vehicles to be up to 5 years old for its first private hire license. 

If a vehicle is within the maximum age bracket and adheres to all other requirements, its age on first license should be about driver circumstances and affordabilty.



Who Is Affected:
A recent change in private hire vehicle specifications impacts YOU, the good people of Derby. 
From residents who rely on private hire vehicles, visitors to the city, to the hardworking drivers and their families. 



These drivers dedicate their time to providing a valuable service to the community, yet this policy will make it harder for them to continue their work as a Derby licensed driver. 
The age requirement for vehicle to be up to 5 years old at first license means individual Derby licensed drivers need to find a fortune to purchase a car to use on the streets where they live. 

Derby licensed drivers will become scarce. 
It's going to affect us all. 

What Is at Stake:
The future of Derby’s private hire industry is at risk along with the safety and well-being of its residents. When drivers choose not to, or are not able to get licensed locally, it becomes harder for the council to enforce safety standards and regulations are hard to be upheld.
Additionally, license fees that should be supporting Derby city end up going to other councils, weakening our city’s economy and localised management of the industry.

We, the undersigned, feel that Derby City Council need to reconsider and vote to remove the age policy clause in the private hire specification requiring private hire vehicles to be 5 years old or newer at the time of their first license application.



*Council infomation here: https://www.derby.gov.uk/licensing/taxis/taxi-drivers/

Context and Background:
Private hire drivers, for example the drivers who work with Albatross, Western, PJ’s etc along with Uber (other private hire operators available) are required to hold three licenses:  

1. A personal license  
2. A vehicle license  
3. A license to work with a private hire operator within the same licensing authority  

Each of these licenses have specific terms and conditions that drivers must adhere to. Derby City Council is known for maintaining high standards which makes holding a Derby City badge a "badge of honour." Local standards include local knowledge tests and driving assessments, both integral parts of obtaining this license.

You may have notices, many vehicles operating in Derby are plated by other councils. This is primarily because it is easier to obtain a license from these other authorities. Derby's high standards should be celebrated, but it is increasing difficulty for local drivers to obtain and maintain a Derby license. 

Having a Derby City licensed driver brings various benefits, including license fee revenue that goes back into the local council and the ability for local enforcement officers to ensure compliance.
It is in the city’s best interest for the council to encourage local drivers to hold Derby licenses.

Our Concerns:
We request that the council look to vote to remove the particular clause in the specifications  that is: the requirement for vehicles to be no older than 5 years at the time of the first license application. This policy creates a financial burden on private hire drivers and presents a cost-prohibitive barrier to acquiring a Derby license. Consequently, drivers will seek licenses from other councils, taking revenue away from Derby and undermining the local industry.

 
Most modern cars suitable for the private hire industry are all emission compliant. The age of first registration shouldn’t override a vehicle’s suitability for use in the industry as long as it fits the emission and vehicle standards criteria.

Current Challenges:
The world has changed since the strategy was initially consulted on ‘by experts’, The city wide recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been slow, and the landscape of Derby has altered with the closure of many entertainment venues. To stay competitive, the private hire industry has refrained from increasing passenger fees. Consequently, the earnings of professional, Derby-licensed drivers have either remained stagnant or decreased while the cost of living continues to rise. 

Requiring drivers to replace their vehicles with new models, (often falling into a completely different financial category) (vehicle cost, insurance, road tax) will push drivers out of the industry or force them to seek licenses from other councils. 

Neither outcome is beneficial for Derby.

If a vehicle meets the environmental standards of the policy and is within the maximum age bracket, the age of the vehicle at first license  should not be a determining factor for licensing.


The Issue of Awareness:
It has been stated by the council that "the trade has had 5 years to object." However, many drivers have only recently become aware of this aspect of the policy believing it was not going to be included. Confusion reigns. For many, the first time the industry were made aware of the change was on January 1, 2025, when the policy was updated. This has left many drivers uncertain about their future with Derby City Council licenses.

Conclusion:
To secure the future of Derby City Council licensed private hire vehicles, ensure effective enforcement of licensing conditions, and preserve the health of the local industry, we respectfully urge the council to remove this specific clause from the policy.



Having Derby drivers licensed by Derby council is the perfect situation. 

We need your support to pettition the council to look into this. 
The  licensing committee need to vote to the remove this clause. 

Petition closing date: 13:00 (1pm) on the 24th Aprill 2025.