Derby private hire firm owner Michael Rowlands has launched a petition against Derby City Council's new rule requiring newly licensed private hire vehicles to be five years old or less, labelling it "pointless" and warning it could devastate the local industry.

Rowlands, managing director of Sendacar, argues the regulation, effective from 1 April, will force drivers to spend at least £15,000 on newer vehicles, potentially driving them out of the city or the trade.

"This particular clause affects every Derby driver and we will not have a private hire industry if the council put these barriers in place. It is a problem – it just does not make any sense," Rowlands stated.

He also expressed concern that drivers would seek licences in other jurisdictions, resulting in Derby City Council losing revenue and regulatory control.

"Drivers will go out of town to different licensing authorities – which means Derby City Council loses the revenue but also loses the authority to enforce and control safety standards for out-of-town vehicles."

The GMB Union, representing Derby's private hire drivers, echoed these concerns, claiming the change "threatens the licences of hundreds of drivers using vehicles made before 2021" and could "ruin the taxi trade" in Derby.

Derby City Council defended the rule, stating it was implemented "to ensure vehicles are in good condition and more likely to meet current safety and emissions standards."

A council spokesperson clarified: "Most current drivers will be unaffected by the change, as vehicles already licensed by the council can continue to be licensed until they are 15 years old."

Despite the council's assurances, Rowlands, who met with Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson, remains concerned.

"I now have a (March) 20 plate vehicle but that would be too old if licensed for the first time. But the car performs very well and does the job to take people around the city and to the airport safely."

He has created an online petition: "Save The Derby Private Hire Industry," to garner support and pressure the council to reverse the decision. You can see it here - https://www.change.org/p/save-the-derby-private-hire-industry-vote-to-remove-1st-vehicle-license-age-clause?source_location=tag_

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Taxi Licensing Enforcement Officers have undertaken another successful multi-agency operation with West Midlands Police and other agencies, to carry out vehicle safety checks in West Bromwich.

As part of the operation, various vehicles which were inspected didn’t have any ‘No Smoking’ stickers displayed.

One driver was also suspended for vehicle damage that requires them to have their vehicle repaired within 21 days.

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A sting operation targeting taxis and private hire vehicles transporting children to special schools in Dudley has resulted in one driver receiving penalty points and several vehicles flagged for minor defects.

Dudley Council, in collaboration with West Midlands Police and the DVSA, conducted the surprise checks on Thursday 3 April at Merry Hill.

The operation, which inspected 47 drivers and vehicles, aimed to ensure compliance with safety and licensing standards.

While most drivers passed the checks, a driver was issued three penalty points for an illegal tyre with exposed cords.

"One driver was also hit with three points on their licence, as their vehicle was found to have an illegal tyre with no tread on the inside and had the corded inner of the tyre showing," officials reported.

Other infractions included two vehicles with faulty bulbs and one lacking the correct licensing sticker.

Andy Beaman, a Transport Officer at Dudley Council, highligjhted the operation's thoroughness. "We’re looking for any defects on the vehicles that go up and above where we’re contracted to check – our licensing people can do number plate checks, but with the police and the DVSA, they’re operational - they check if there is anyone on their record that they are after who may have slipped the net in terms of driving, and then also check the standards of the vehicles, looking for things like corroded chassis and illegal tyres. It adds that extra layer of protection."

Cllr David Stanley, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Dudley Council, acknowledged the overall compliance. "The majority of drivers and vehicles today were found to have the standards required, and I would like to thank them for their patience."

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A startling report revealing a surge in driver convictions, dangerous vehicle defects, and regulatory breaches has led to a wave of taxi and private hire licence suspensions and revocations in Huntingdonshire.

Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) figures, covering October 1, 2024, to March 1, 2025, detail a concerning pattern of safety lapses.

The report, presented to the HDC licensing and protection committee, disclosed that six drivers, 30 vehicles, and two operators faced licence action.

"Of the six drivers, three had their licence suspended, two had theirs refused, and one was revoked," the report stated, citing reasons ranging from overdue medical assessments and failure to report accidents to a lack of valid DBS certificates and "fit and proper" concerns.

Vehicle safety emerged as a significant issue, with 14 vehicle licences facing action in the first three months alone. "10 were suspended over three counts of dangerous defects, having no insurance, and six counts of accident damage," officials revealed.

Since the start of 2025, another 16 vehicle licences have been affected, primarily due to dangerous and major defects.

Operators haven't escaped scrutiny, with two facing licence action for failing to provide information and breaching conditions.

"In October 2024, a private hire operator had their licence suspended as they were unable to be contacted and failed to provide information to the council," the report noted.

HDC officials emphasised their commitment to public safety. "The safety of vehicles and the ‘fit and proper’ status of drivers and operators is of the utmost importance to us," a council spokesperson said. "Our licensing team works hard to ensure high standards are maintained through regular checks, inspections, and robust action where needed.

"We want the public to feel confident that licensed drivers and vehicles in our district are safe and properly regulated – something that matters for the thousands of journeys taken across Huntingdonshire every year."

The council has also implemented a penalty points system to further enforce regulations and ensure compliance.

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A Transport for London private hire driver has been hit with more than £700 in financial penalties after a covert operation by licensing officers from Reading and South Oxfordshire District Councils identified him illegally plying for hire during Reading Festival in August 2024.

Azmat-Hussain Ali, from Reading, was licensed by TfL to accept pre-booked fares within the London area. On the evening of 25 August 2024, undercover licensing officers approached Mr Ali’s vehicle close to the Reading Festival site. He agreed to take them to Wokingham, for £15.

As a private hire driver without a prior booking, Mr Ali was not permitted to pick passengers up from the street, and in doing so, invalidated his insurance.

At Reading Magistrates Court on 28 March 2025, Mr Ali entered guilty pleas to both offences of plying for hire and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

Presiding Magistrates credited Mr Ali for his guilty plea and admission of the offences to officers at the roadside and during interview. They also considered the fact that he had no previous convictions.

Mr Ali was fined £240 for the offences of plying for hire and operating without insurance, and his driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

The court also ordered the payment of prosecution costs of £400, and a victim surcharge of £96, bringing the full financial penalties to £736.

Cllr John Ennis, Reading council's Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “This is the second successful prosecution resulting from our partnership work with South Oxfordshire over the Festival period, and I’d like to thank the officers again for their efforts.

“We’re proud to welcome more than 100,000 visitors to our town over the festival period, and they’re entitled to trust that their driver is properly vetted, authorised, checked, and licensed."

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