Derby’s licensed private hire drivers are calling on Derby City Council to remove a controversial clause introduced in April 2025 that requires vehicles seeking their first private hire licence to be less than five years old. The rule has added significant financial pressure on drivers and it risks pushing experienced, locally licensed drivers to seek licences in other cities with less restrictive requirements. The council will reconsider the clause in a pivotal vote on March 12, 2026.
Darren Fitchett, DATA Vice Chair. Lee Roach, DATA Chairman. Manpreet Singh Malhi, DATA exec Board member.
Drivers say Derby already operates one of the most robust licensing systems in the region. In addition to enhanced DBS checks and safeguarding training, all drivers must pass a Derby-specific knowledge test and complete a practical driving assessment before they are licensed requirements many other authorities do not currently enforce.
Vehicles licensed by Derby City Council are subject to strict safety and environmental standards. Every vehicle must undergo two MOT-level tests per year, alongside regular roadside inspections and must be retired once it reaches 15 years of age. Already ensuring high standards across the fleet.
Local drivers say these safeguards provide a high level of passenger safety while supporting a strong local transport network and celebrating the local trade. According to the Derby area taxi association (DATA), the city’s recognised trade body representing licensed drivers (www.dataderby.co.uk), Derby’s licensing framework already places significant responsibilities on drivers to ensure vehicles remain safe, well maintained and environmentally compliant. DATA highlights that the combination of enhanced driver vetting, local knowledge testing, trade-specific NVQs and regular mechanical inspections ensures Derby residents are served by professionally trained drivers who are directly accountable to the council. Maintaining a strong base of locally licensed drivers is also essential for protecting service reliability and ensuring passengers have access to drivers who know the city and its communities.
Local drivers say it is vital that the licensing committee supports a practical, evidence-based approach by removing any blanket age restriction for vehicles at first licence. They argue that if a vehicle is within the council’s maximum 15-year licensing age, meets Euro 6 emissions standards and successfully passes twice-yearly safety inspections, its age at first licence should not be the deciding factor. Instead, the decision should consider the vehicle’s condition, safety compliance and the individual circumstances of the driver. DATA representatives say this approach will help ensure Derby’s licensed trade remains local, rather than forcing drivers to seek licences elsewhere due to unnecessary costs.
Darren Fitchett, Vice Chair of DATA and driver with Chads Cars for over 35 years, said:
“I strongly feel this five-year rule at first plate is a totally unacceptable requirement. The council say they are taking public safety into account, yet they are only imposing this rule on the Private Hire trade and not Hackney vehicles. We are all licensed by Derby City Council and use the same approved garages and testers. Our vehicles are tested twice yearly after five years to above MOT standards, which already offers a great deal of safety regardless of what the registration plate shows.”
Manpreet Singh Malhi, PJ’s driver with 25 years’ experience and DATA Executive Board member, added:
“If a car is Euro 6 and meets the safety checks, it should be enough.”
Kev Boole, Derby licensed private hire driver and DATA board member, said:
“I could buy a high mileage four year old car with minimal maintenance and plate it, but I couldn’t plate a ten year old car with low mileage that has been maintained regardless of cost purely because of its age. The policy is absolutely pointless.”
Adrian Salah, law student and chef at the Joiners Arms, Quarndon said:
“All I need are clean cars and safe drivers on the road. Car age is irrelevant, especially if they have to come off after 15 years.”
With the council vote approaching, drivers remain proud to serve Derby’s communities and hope councillors will recognise the high standards already in place while ensuring that local drivers can remain licensed in the city they live and work in.
