ROUND THE COUNCILS
SOUTH KESTEVEN: KNOWLEDGE TEST SCRAPPED
New taxi drivers in South Kesteven will no longer have to pass a “knowledge test” to get their licence. Council members approved and adopted a new HC and PH licensing policy removing the requirement for the knowledge test to make it easier and cheaper for people to start working as drivers. Cllr Philip Knowles said the council received “a huge amount of feedback from drivers, members, operators and the public” asking them to rethink the old rules. The council made these changes because they were worried about the high costs of applying and the difficulty of keeping drivers in the area. To help with the price, new drivers can now get a one- year licence instead of a three-year one, which is “less costly, obviously, than a three-year licence.” Applicants can also now pay their fees in smaller amounts via direct debit/standing order, rather than paying everything at once. Cllr Knowles noted that “it was an expensive business to recruit and retain new licensees,” and these changes should help. While the knowledge test is gone, drivers must still pass an English test. However, the council has made the first attempt free to save people money. Cllr Knowles explained that “the first English test will be free and any subsequent test if you fail it once and come back for a second go, you would have to pay for.” The council has also written to the government to ask for fairer national rules, as Cllr Knowles argued the current system “is not fair at the moment.”
GLASGOW: CONSULTATION ON MANDATORY CARDS
Glasgow City Council has launched a public consultation to decide if all black cab drivers should be required to accept card payments. Currently, passengers have no guarantee they can pay by plastic, as some drivers in the city still operate on a cash-only basis. With more people ditching physical wallets for smartphones, the council has seen an increase in residents calling for a change to licensing rules. The move follows a decision by the licensing committee to address shifting consumer habits. A report presented to officials noted that while cash
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was once the “preferred payment method,” the rise of technology means it’s now “common for the public not to carry cash.” Many passengers now rely entirely on card payments or digital wallets on their phones. The council is inviting the public to have their say before the June 1 deadline. A spokesperson confirmed that the committee will “consider all views received to this consultation before making a decision” on whether to officially amend taxi licence conditions. If the plan goes ahead, it would mean a significant shift for the 1,217 taxis currently licensed in the city. Take part in the survey here:
https://shorturl.at/9Xh96
CHARNWOOD: NEW VEHICLE RULES APPROVED
Charnwood BC has pushed through strict new regulations for Loughborough’s black cabs, sparking fears that the cost of upgrading vehicles could force some cabbies off the road. Approved on 3 February, the policy aims to cut pollution by requiring all taxis to be newer models, despite a survey showing that over half of local drivers and residents opposed the plan. Under the new timeline, drivers must have a vehicle newer than a 2009 plate by December 1 of this year to renew their licence, with standards tightening further to a 2014 plate by 2028. The new rules give an extra two years to WAVs – of which only 11 are currently registered. While council officers argued the move aligns with national guidelines, Cllr Glenn Matthews abstained from the vote, warning that many drivers “can’t afford a better car” and will feel targeted. He told the committee: “They are going to read that letter and think: what have I done to deserve this? ... You are putting them out of business.” To balance the impact, the council is introducing a 20% discount on licence fees for fully electric taxis - no such cars are currently registered in the district. The council is relaxing the number of times a year that newer cars must be tested and scrapping the one-fail- barred rule, which meant older vehicles are immediately banned from re-testing if they fail. However, critics argue these perks do little for those currently driving older vehicles. Looking ahead, officers admitted they are unsure if future rules will be “stricter or softer on taxi drivers” once a new unitary authority takes over local government in 2028.
MARCH 2026 PHTM
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