Decision details

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Consider the responses to the public consultation,

(2)      Agree the changes to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy as follows; -

a)           From 1 July 2024 licences will normally only be granted to vehicles being licensed for the first time that meet the TFL Ultra Low Emission Zone requirements (Petrol: Euro 4, Diesel: Euro 6). An exception will be allowed until 1 January 2025 for proprietors of licensed Euro 4 diesel vehicles that are replacing them with Euro 5 diesel vehicles.

b)           From 1 January 2025 licences will not normally be renewed in respect of any licensed diesel vehicle that does not meet or exceed Euro 5 emission standards.

c)           From 1 July 2026, licences will normally only be granted to vehicles (including renewal of existing licences) that meet the TFL Ultra Low Emission Zone requirements (Petrol: Euro 4 Diesel: Euro 6).

d)            Vehicles that have been specially adapted [i.e., post manufacture] to carry wheelchair users will be exempted from the emission requirement.

e)             Vehicles used for the completion of home to school transport under contract from a County Council will be given a one-year extension to each of the phased emission requirements.

f)              All hackney carriages must be wheelchair accessible. Hackney Carriages are no longer required to be purpose built/London style ‘black’ cabs. All non-purpose-built hackney carriages will be required to display a ‘Taxi' sign of a minimum width of 76.2cm with lettering of a minimum height of 12.7cm and bearing the words 'Licensed by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council', capable of being illuminated, to be mounted across the roof of the vehicle.

(3)      Agree that the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy as set in Appendix 6 is recommended for approval at Full Council