ROUND THE COUNCILS
EAST RENFREWSHIRE: VEHICLE AGE LIMITS REMOVED
East Renfrewshire Council has voted to remove vehicle age limits for all private hire cars and taxis operating within the council area as local trade representatives declared victory following a two-year campaign to have the age limits scrapped. At a meeting of the council’s licensing committee, members voted in favour of removing the long- standing policy that restricted vehicles from being licensed beyond ten years. In addition, the committee also voted to remove a requirement for a car to be less than five years old to be granted its first licence. The changes take immediate effect. The decision follows sustained pressure from the East Renfrewshire branch of the Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA), the Scottish Taxi Federation as well as members of the East Renfrewshire Hire Car Forum. Campaigners argued that the age limit was outdated, costly for drivers and unnecessary if vehicles were otherwise roadworthy. John Paul Duffy, Convenor of the East Renfrewshire branch of the SPHA welcomed the move, saying: “We are very pleased that the committee agreed to remove vehicle age limits today. It has been our branch's position that if a vehicle is deemed fit to pass the council’s compliance test and an MOT then there is absolutely no reason why it should be prevented from operating just because it has reached an arbitrary age limit. “This was being campaigned for by several different trade stakeholders and we’re pleased the council has agreed with our position and voted in favour of this change”
The campaigners highlighted the ongoing cost of living crisis as a key reason to reform the licensing rules. Removing age restrictions will allow drivers to purchase more affordable, lower-mileage vehicles and to continue operating cars that are still in excellent condition despite their age, provided they pass the council’s rigorous compliance as well as MOT checks. James Kyle, East Renfrewshire branch Chairman of the Scottish Taxi Federation, said the move would provide crucial support for operators. “It’s no secret that the trade has been struggling to recover from the pandemic, and now the cost of living crisis is biting hard. This will give vehicle operators a
PHTM JULY 2025
bit of breathing space and hopefully will allow the trade to overcome some of the economic challenges.” East Renfrewshire’s taxi and private hire compliance test is regarded as one of the most stringent in Scotland’s 32 licensing authorities, ensuring vehicle safety and standards remain high despite the removal of age limits. The policy change means that, effective immediately, vehicle operators can apply to license cars of any age, as long as they meet the compliance and safety requirements.
MIDLOTHIAN: APOLOGY FOR 3-YEAR FARE REVIEW DELAY
Taxi operators in Midlothian have finally received an apology from council officers after a critical fare review was delayed by over a year, leaving them grappling with escalating operational costs. The delay means it's been nearly three years since the last fare increase, despite a policy dictating reviews every 18 months. During a Midlothian Council's General Purpose committee meeting on June 17, industry representatives highlighted the severe impact of the delay, calling for fare increases of up to 20% to offset rising expenses. The Midlothian Taxi Owner’s Association (MTOA) has urged the council to align its fares with those in Edinburgh to help meet these burgeoning costs. Proposed changes include an increase in initial daytime hire charges from £3 to £3.50, evening charges from £3.80 to £4.50, and festive holiday rates from £4.50 to £5. Additionally, the MTOA proposes a 20% increase in time and distance charges, from 25p to 30p, across all tariffs. Councillors pressed officers for an explanation regarding the prolonged delay. Derek Oliver, the council's head of place, attributed the hold-up to "changes in licensing and we have had a number of work themes to go through." He added: "We can only apologise that is has taken this long to get to where we are now." The proposed changes will now undergo a public consultation, with results expected in at least a month. However, councillors acknowledged that even with a swift approval, it would still mean nearly a three-year gap between fare increases, a significant burden for local taxi operators.
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