Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards: The Debate Over Vehicle Age Limits
In 2018, the ten local authorities in Greater Manchester agreed to collaboratively develop, approve, and implement a common set of Minimum Licensing Standards (MLS) for taxi and private hire services.
By implementing common standards across the region, local authorities hope to improve safety, air-quality, and the public’s perception of their locally licensed drivers.
But despite its intentions, the MLS scheme has been met with opposition from the industry in some boroughs.
Potential to “destroy livelihoods”
The main criticism of the MLS scheme is that it requires all drivers must be driving vehicles less than ten years old by 2028. Drivers across Greater Manchester have argued that this requirement could “destroy livelihoods”.
The issue was recently raised by councillors in Bolton. The council was unable to come to an agreement on whether or not to approve the MLS scheme in the area.
Commenting, Cllr Sue Haworth said:
“As the shadow cabinet member for licensing I have a working knowledge of vehicle costs including vehicle choices for clean air compliance.
“This is both new vehicles and the second-hand car market.
“A lot has changed since the MLS work started in 2018.
“Customers have less money for taxi use, the hospitality sector such as pubs and clubs has seen a reduction in customers, taxi drivers are earning less income due to lower demand, our borough is recovering from Covid in an economic downturn in our country.”
“Bolton taxi drivers are being faced with a huge cost to vehicles they can have licensed for their work from 2028.”
With the average new car, suitable for private hire, costing between £25-35k (£55-75k for premium models) it's no surprise people are concerned. That can be more than a year's earnings for a lot of drivers. And with the broader move towards electric vehicles, the costs are even higher. The average EV costs around £50k.
Why only ten years?
The MLS scheme states that vehicles should be less than ten years old for several reasons:
Environmental Impact: Newer vehicles typically have lower emissions and are more environmentally friendly than older models.
Safety Standards: Newer vehicles generally come equipped with more advanced safety features, such as improved braking systems, airbags, and electronic stability control.
Vehicle Reliability: Older vehicles are more likely to experience mechanical issues and breakdowns.
Public Perception: Newer vehicles can create a better public image for the taxi and private hire sector, as they are often seen as cleaner, safer, and more comfortable.
Proposed alternatives
Striking the right balance between public safety, environmental impact, and drivers' financial burden is crucial for the successful implementation of the MLS scheme.
A solution that addresses these concerns while still achieving Greater Manchester's environmental goals is necessary to ensure the taxi and private hire industry's long-term sustainability.
Cllr Haworth suggested that the minimum vehicle age be raised to 15 years, to mitigate the financial impact on drivers. Whilst this may not be a perfect solution, the extra 5-years would be a useful buffer whilst the trade is still recovering. Limiting the financial burden on drivers also ensures that they can continue to operate an affordable public service.
Concerns over cross-border licensing
While support for the MLS scheme is quite strong, there are fears that their introduction could lead to drivers going elsewhere for their licences.
Cllr Paul Heslop, raised this concern at a recent debate:
“I have got one word to say on this issue and that is Wolverhampton.
“I feel personally if minimum licensing standards goes through in Greater Manchester the number from Wolverhampton will go higher and higher.”
It was recently reported that 4,049 licences issued by Wolverhampton Council belong to drivers who were registered at the time of their application as being in Greater Manchester.
Councillors are concerned at potential safety concerns due to differences in licensing conditions between the two areas. In the past, Wolverhampton council have been accused of offering ’watered-down’ licensing. Something they strongly reject.
Cllr Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for city environment and climate change, insisted they had high standards:
“City of Wolverhampton Council has invested heavily in digital technology which enables us to thoroughly check driver and vehicle details.
“We have a high level of licensing standards and are believed to be the first in the country to have introduced daily enhanced DBS checks on all of our drivers.
“We have also introduced technology that checks applicants right to work, similar to the systems found at airports with facial recognition, and we check every new applicant against the National Register for Revocations, Refusals and Suspensions.
“Our investments in digital systems have made savings and allow us to undertake compliance operations across the country every week, including on weekend evenings.
“We have always been at the forefront of implementing stringent taxi licensing standards and we will continue to use the latest technology to ensure both public and passenger safety.”