Taxi Policy Review
We are seeking views on our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy.
Read the Current Taxi Policy [pdf document]
Darlington’s Full Council approved a new Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy in January 2021, and this policy includes statutory standards issued by the Department for Transport.
As the taxi trade struggled to recover from the financial effects of COVID-19, an interim review was carried out in 2022, where additional changes were made, including:
- Vehicle age restrictions removed and replaced with Euro 6 engine requirements
- The topographical test was removed for private hire drivers
- Rear window tint approval for standard production line vehicles
In November 2023, the Department for Transport revised its non-statutory Best Practice Guide, and this review will consider recommendations from the guide that have not already been incorporated into the policy. What is currently being considered for inclusion is listed below; however, this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be additional issues you would like to raise for inclusion.
- Disability awareness training for all drivers
- Inside vehicle CCTV recording - to consider a mandatory requirement in all vehicles
- Payment methods - all drivers to provide customers with the option of payment by card
- Vehicle testing - remove the requirement for six-monthly vehicle testing and replace it with an annual test for vehicles under 3 years old
- Daily vehicle checks - mandatory checks of the vehicle by the driver before the commencement of each working day, which are recorded and retained for inspection
- Signage - private hire vehicles to have signs on the front passenger door with wording similar to ‘Private Hire Pre-Booked Only’ and vehicle number
- Points-based system - allows minor breaches of rules to be recorded and considered in context. This is NOT an endorsement points system placed on a motorist's driving licence.
- Remove the requirement to carry a fire extinguisher
Read the revised Department for Transport Best Practice Guidance [external link]
We would welcome your views on all aspects of these proposals and anything else you would like us to consider by following the link below and completing the survey.
Alternatively, you can complete the form below and email it to us at: [email protected]
Taxi Policy Questionnaire [pdf document]
This consultation ends on 10th August 2025
Thank you for your assistance.