Consultation to be launched for countywide licensing policy in North Yorkshire

Next week decision makers across North Yorkshire authorities will meet to discuss a consultation on taxi and private hire licensing.  

The consultation is being discussed ahead of the merger of the existing borough and district councils into a North Yorkshire combined authority.  

Speaking about the consultation, Councillor Derek Bastiman, said: 

“I would encourage anyone who drives or regularly uses taxis or private hire vehicles to take part in this consultation to help us shape the new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for North Yorkshire. 

“The policy plays an integral part in demonstrating the council’s commitment to ensuring that the public is provided with safe and accessible hackney carriages and private hire vehicles by the trade. 

“And as a single local authority for North Yorkshire, it also ensures hackney carriage and private hire licence holders and taxi operators across the county are treated equally.” 

All the licensing authorities in the region currently have separate licensing policies. Following the introduction of Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards in 2020, all these policies are relatively similar.

However, there are still some differences in the licensing criteria for drivers, vehicles and some other procedures.  

Benefits of a countywide policy 

The new combined authority is proposing a single hackney carriage zone for North Yorkshire. This will provide drivers with the flexibility to operate across a much wider area. They also believe this will make wheelchair accessible vehicles more available in the county. 

Having a single licensing authority for the area should also make the licensing process more streamlined and transparent for drivers.  

Further Information 

The consultation will be launched in the coming months, with preliminary discussions starting next week. Once launched, the consultation will run for 12 weeks and the council are hoping for drivers across the region to share their thoughts.  

The new policy will affect you if you drive for one of the following councils: 

• Craven District Council 

• Hambleton District Council 

• Harrogate Borough Council 

• North Yorkshire County Council 

• Richmondshire District Council 

• Ryedale District Council 

• Scarborough Borough Council 

• Selby District Council 

• York City Council 

It is strongly recommended that you take part in the consultation when it is launched. In recent months, some licensing authorities have been shocked to receive zero responses to fare consultations.

To make sure your voice is heard, make sure you keep an eye out for announcements from your licensing authority.  

You can find more information here.