PROTEST PLIGHT
DERBY PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS RALLY AGAINST STRICT NEW VEHICLE AGE RULE
Dozens of private hire drivers in Derby staged a protest rally on 14 May,
expressing their strong
opposition to a new Derby City Council rule concerning the age of newly licensed vehicles. The regulation, implemented in April, mandates that PHVs must be five years old or less when first licensed by the authority. While existing licensed vehicles up to 15 years old can still be used, drivers fear the “strict” new rule could lead to business closures if vehicles are damaged or deterior- ate. They also argue it could deter new drivers entering the trade.
to seek licences elsewhere. Derby
council maintains
the new age limit aims “to ensure vehicles are in good condition and more likely to meet current safety and emissions standards,” asserting that most drivers
The GMB union, representing the drivers, predicted a “big impact” as drivers might face significant costs to replace vehicles with newer models. The union claims the expense of a vehicle less than five years old could reach around £15,000, potentially forcing drivers out of business or prompting them
will not be affected. A council spokesperson said: “We have received the PH drivers petition outlining concerns regarding the change to licensing requirements and will give it careful consideration before providing a formal response in due course.”
GLOBAL STRIKE AGAINST RIDE HAILING GIANTS AS DRIVERS DEMAND FAIRER CONDITIONS
Uber drivers in Bristol staged a protest on Friday 25 April, coinciding with a meeting between Uber executives and GMB union members. The demonstration highlighted growing discontent among drivers who claim their earnings have been halved in the past year due to increased costs and a rise in commission charges. That protest preceded a 24-hour strike on Thursday 1 May by PH drivers across the UK and globally, with drivers’ frustration stemming from the perception that while Uber’s profits soar, their own take- home pay diminishes under the current commission structure. They also demanded improved working conditions, and crucial protections for gig economy workers . The IWGB spearheaded the action which saw drivers logging off apps
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at 7am in major cities including London, Newcastle, Bristol and Manchester. The union stated that drivers are being pushed to “breaking point” by plummeting fares and long hours. Drivers say this is having a serious impact on their mental health, physical wellbeing and relationships. Adding to the disruption, more than 50 drivers met outside Heath- row Airport from 7–9am, then set off in a motorcade to Trafalgar Square, honking horns and waving
flags along the route. In response to the global strike, Uber stated they “took a number of steps in partnership with Heathrow to mitigate any impact.” An Uber spokesperson emphasised its ongoing engagement with drivers, particularly through its agreement with GMB, which is not participating in the strike. Regarding commission rates, while Uber stated that weekly “take rates” average between 20-30%, they did confirm that rates can reach as high as 40% on popular routes, such as those to Manchester Airport. The company also noted that drivers are limited to a maximum of 10 working hours at a time and can view a breakdown of their earnings.
JUNE 2025 PHTM
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