Taxi drivers, private hire operators and taxi users are invited to take part in a community conversation about upcoming changes to taxi licensing in Westmorland and Furness.
A new Taxi Licencing Policy proposed by the Council aims to ensure consistently high standards of taxi services across the area so that residents, workers, and visitors can expect a safe, professional and reliable journeys wherever they travel.
The six-week community conversation launched today marks the beginning of an important journey to bring together services following Local Government Reorganisation in 2023 which joined four councils under a single authority.
As varying policies and practices were adopted from former county and district councils, taxi drivers and operators currently work to different rules and regulations in Eden, Furness or South Lakeland. Residents and visitors experiences of journey prices and vehicle quality can also differ when traveling across the area.
Westmorland and Furness Council’s new Policy aims to ensure that all Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers follow national best practices, improving vehicle standards, reducing harmful emissions, protecting the environment, and ensuring passenger safety.
The community conversation invites drivers to share their views on how the proposed changes may affect their work and what they feel would be a reasonable timeframe for introducing the new standards. It will also help the Council understand taxi users’ experiences and what is most important to them.
The proposed changes would remove the existing operating zones for Hackney Carriage vehicles which currently restrict drivers to applying for a licence within only one of the former council areas. This would allow all Hackney Carriage drivers and vehicles licensed by the Council to operate for hire anywhere in Westmorland and Furness.
Licence types would also be revitalised, making it easier for drivers to operate both Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles under a single dual licence and for one fee. This positive change would reduce costs for drivers and give them greater flexibility to work across the taxi and private hire trade in the area.
Unlike the current approach in Eden and South Lakeland where vehicle age restrictions apply, under the new Policy there is no age limit. Instead, it focuses on environmental performance and safety, reflecting the Council’s commitment to ecological awareness and sustainability.
From April 2026, any new vehicle not previously licensed with the Council would need to meet Euro 6 emissions, a European standard that ensures vehicles produce much lower levels of harmful exhaust gases, such as nitrogen oxides and particulates. To support drivers with vehicles currently licensed by the authority, a grace period of up to three years will be allowed before they must upgrade to meet the new standards.
Vehicle and driver safety continues to be at the heart of the policy. Proposed changes to vehicle testing and safety requirements would mean that taxis over eight years old must undergo up to three MOT tests per year to ensure high standards of roadworthiness are maintained.
The requirement of drivers to hold an Enhanced DBS safeguarding checks will continue, alongside medical assessments every three years or annually for drivers aged 65 and over.
Cllr John Murray, Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services, said:
“Taxis and private hire vehicles are a vital part of our local transport network, especially in rural areas where public transport options may be limited.
“This new, unified policy is an important step in bringing together the different systems we inherited through Local Government Reorganisation, ensuring that drivers and passengers across Eden, Furness, and South Lakeland all benefit from the same high standards.
“By creating one clear and consistent taxi licensing policy for Westmorland and Furness, we are raising expectations for safety, quality, and environmental performance. The changes we’re proposing will support professional, responsible drivers, improve the travelling experience for passengers, and help us move towards a more sustainable future for our communities.”
The Policy would also launch a single restricted private hire driver licence at a lower fee designed specifically for drivers who wish to carry out school transport and social care contract work on behalf of the Council. This new licence aims to help increase the number of drivers available for these vital community services, supporting residents who rely on safe and reliable transport.
Taxi drivers and operators, businesses, residents and visitors can share their views by completing an online survey available on the Council’s website or from next week, a paper copy available at Barrow Town Hall, Kendal Town Hall or Penrith’s Voreda House.
The Council’s Licensing team are also running drop in events for residents, operators and taxi drivers to ask questions about the proposed changes at:
- Barrow Library on Monday 13 October from 12.30pm to 5pm and Monday 20 October from 9.30am to 1.30pm
- Kendal Library on Wednesday 15 October from 12.30pm to 5pm and Friday 17 October from 12.30pm to 5pm
- Penrith Library on Thursday 16 October from 12.30pm to 5pm and Monday 27 October from 9.30am to 5pm
- The Coro, Ulverston on Tuesday 21 October from 9.30am to 1.30pm
- Windermere Library on Tuesday 14 October from 9.30am to 1.30pm.
Cllr Murray added: “We want to hear from drivers, operators and passengers about what matters most to them. This is your chance to share your feedback and help shape how these changes are introduced, creating a policy that supports our taxi trade, protects passengers, and contributes to a greener, safer future for our communities.”
The feedback shared will presented to Cabinet in January 2025. If the new Taxi Licensing Policy is approved it will come into effect from April 2026.
To read the draft Taxi Licensing Policy and summary detailing what would change in each area or to take part visit https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/taxi-policy.