Setting the record straight: DCC vehicles PROMOTE public safety.
Derby Area Taxi Association
Following the Licensing Committee meeting held on Thursday evening, there has been considerable discussion about what the recent vote actually means for private hire vehicles operating in Derby.
This statement aims to clarify the facts and reassure the public that Derby’s high safety standards remain firmly in place.
What has changed
Derby City Council’s Licensing Committee voted to increase the maximum age a vehicle can be when receiving its first private hire licence from five years to nine years. Derby has around 620 *approximate* private hire vehicles.
This simply means that a vehicle purchased from a dealership, sales forecourt or private seller can now be up to nine years old when first licensed as a private hire vehicle in Derby.
Importantly, this change does not reduce the safety standards applied to Derby licensed vehicles.
Allowing vehicles up to nine years old when first licensed provides drivers with greater flexibility when purchasing vehicles, particularly at a time when vehicle and running costs remain high.
Many drivers in the private hire trade are self-employed and personally responsible for the cost of purchasing, maintaining and insuring their vehicles. This change helps ensure that experienced drivers can continue working locally without facing unnecessary financial pressure while still meeting the strict standards required by Derby City Council.
Drivers themselves have every incentive to choose reliable, well-maintained vehicles that meet Derby’s licensing standards and allow them to continue working safely and professionally.
Vehicles must still:
- Meet Euro 6 emissions standards
- Comply with Derby City Council’s approved private hire vehicle specifications
- Remain within the maximum licensing age of 15 years
Vehicles older than 15 years will not be licensed or re-licensed unless they pass an exceptional vehicle test.
How the licensing process works
Licensing a private hire vehicle in Derby involves a strict and regulated process.
An application must first be submitted to the council to ensure the vehicle meets the required specifications and emissions standards. Official testing documentation is then issued.
The vehicle must then be taken to a council authorised testing station, where it is inspected against Derby City Council’s safety and compliance standards.
The results of this inspection are returned to the council before a licence can be issued.
This is the same testing process that existing Derby private hire vehicles must pass twice a year throughout their working life.
Recognising a Derby licensed vehicle
The public can easily identify a Derby licensed private hire vehicle by the blue square licence plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle.
Choosing a locally licensed vehicle means choosing one that is regulated, tested and enforced under Derby City Council’s licensing framework.
High standards for drivers and vehicles
Derby licensed drivers and vehicles are subject to a wide range of requirements designed to protect passengers.
All UK private hire and taxi drivers must:
- Pass safety checks
- Pass DBS checks
- Complete safeguarding training
In addition, Derby licensed drivers must:
- Pass local DERBY knowledge tests
- Complete a professional driving assessment (essentialy re- pass their driving test!)
- Achieve a relevant NVQ qualification
Vehicles must:
- Be under 15 years old
- Undergo twice-yearly safety inspections
- Be subject to regular street compliance checks by enforcement officers
If a vehicle fails any inspection or compliance check, the licence can be suspended or removed until the issue is resolved and the vehicle successfully passes a further test.
Addressing concerns raised during the debate
During the committee debate, concerns were raised by the Oakwood councillor that increasing the entry age for vehicles would impact public safety.
We would hope the councillor in question understands that the safety of Derby licensed vehicles has never been determined solely by age.
Safety is, and always has been, determined by vehicle condition, maintenance and compliance with rigorous inspection standards. Every Derby licensed vehicle must pass regular testing and remain subject to ongoing enforcement checks.
The twice-yearly inspection regime and active compliance monitoring ensure that only safe and roadworthy vehicles remain licensed to operate in the city.
Those working within the trade experience these requirements first-hand every day and understand the level of scrutiny involved in keeping a vehicle licensed.
The committee’s decision recognises that robust testing and enforcement are the true measures of vehicle safety, while also providing practical flexibility for drivers.
We would also hope that councillors recognise the importance of supporting locally licensed drivers who work within Derby’s regulatory framework. In the same way that residents are encouraged to support local shops, cafés and restaurants, choosing to support locally licensed drivers helps keep jobs, investment and economic activity within the city.
Derby’s drivers are part of the local economy. They live here, work here and contribute to the community every day. Supporting local licensing helps ensure that these benefits remain within Derby. Its great to hear that the views of residents in Oakwood, through chatting to Derby drivers, don’t match the views of the councillor.
Moving forward, perhaps some members of the committee should take the opportunity to familiarise themselves fully with the licensing system they oversee.
The importance of local licensing
Derby licensed drivers operate within a regulatory system that requires professional qualifications, regular vehicle testing and active local enforcement.
Other licensing authorities do occasionally conduct enforcement checks within the city, although these visits are infrequent comparative to the 2000+ out of town licensed drivers who drive in the city. This highlights the importance of maintaining a strong and effective local licensing system that protects passengers and supports drivers who choose to be licensed in Derby.
Celebrating Derby’s professional drivers
Derby’s private hire and taxi drivers play an important role in the city’s daily life. They provide transport for residents, workers, students and visitors, often working long hours to keep the city moving safely.
By meeting Derby’s licensing standards, these drivers demonstrate their professionalism, commitment to safety and dedication to serving the local community.
Driving forward
The recent decision recognises that vehicle condition, proper maintenance and robust testing standards are the true measures of safety, while allowing drivers greater flexibility when entering or remaining in the trade.
Derby licensed vehicles remain safe, regulated and regularly inspected, and Derby’s drivers continue to operate within one of the most structured licensing frameworks in the region.
Derby’s private hire drivers are local professionals who work hard every day to serve the public, often at unsociable hours and in all conditions. They invest heavily in their vehicles and training to meet Derby’s licensing requirements and to provide a reliable service to residents and visitors alike.
Public confidence in the trade should be based on the facts of the licensing system and the rigorous standards that drivers and vehicles must meet, not on assumptions about vehicle age alone.
We hope that future discussions around the trade will recognise the professionalism of Derby’s licensed drivers and the robust regulatory framework that already exists to protect passengers and maintain high standards across the city.