Northampton Taxi/Private Hire Vehicle Age Policy

At present Northampton does not set a minimum or maximum age limit on a taxi/private hire vehicle when it is first licensed by this authority.  This means, for example, a proprietor may purchase a vehicle that is 15 years old and providing that it passes the relevant MOT and local vehicle policy specifications, it will be licensed by this authority.
 
The local vehicle policy specification sets some standards for private hire/taxi vehicles that must be maintained above the MOT test.  For example the tyre tread depth must meet a higher standard than the usual MOT standard that applies to all vehicles on the road.
 
However, concerns have been expressed about the appearance and tidiness of the taxi and private hire vehicles that are being licensed by this authority.  It is felt that this represents a very poor image for the fleet operated within the town.  These vehicles may, for example, have badly repaired body work and may be failing the "exceptional standards" set by other authorities.  They may have been brought into Northampton possibly due to a "lighter touch policy".
 
Therefore, it is proposed that with effect from the 1st January 2018, this local authority will no longer accept new applications for vehicles over 12 years old.
 
The proposed policy will allow for current existing licensed vehicles to remain within the fleet operated by Northampton, providing that it meets an "exceptional standard".
 
For example, a proprietor may purchase a taxi or private hire vehicle that is 8 years old and wish to keep the vehicle until it is 15 years old.  This vehicle will be accepted upon first new application to this authority, when it is 8 years old, and the proprietor will be able to continue to renew the licence for this vehicle, providing it meets the exceptional standard, once it is 12 years or older.  This is provided that the vehicle satisfies the requirements of any emission standard policy that be implemented.
 
We are keen to obtain views on the planned policy and the timescales proposed for the introduction of the proposed changes.

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* 1. Do you agree with the proposed policy that vehicles over 12 years old will not be licensed upon first new application to this authority.

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* 2. Do you think the local authority should consider a different maximum age policy?

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* 3. If yes, what maximum age do you think this local authority should consider.

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* 4. Do you agree that this local authority should continue to allow an existing taxi/private hire vehicle to be licensed once it is over 12 years old.

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* 5. Do you think that the same maximum age policy should apply to both a taxi and private hire vehicle?

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* 6. Do you agree that vehicles over 12 years old should be subject to an additional "exceptional standard" test by the local authority.

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* 7. How many times do you think the local authority should inspect a vehicle once it is over 12 years old?

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* 8. Do you have any other comments or views?

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