A fleet of green and white cabs is coming to Plymouth – but drivers and operators will have plenty of time to make the changes.
Plymouth’s new taxi licensing policy has now been approved by Full Council but there are some key changes following consultation with the public and the council’s scrutiny committee.
The new livery will happen, but there is now a five year lead-in time, said Councillor John Riley, Governance Human Resources, IT, Community Safety and Licensing, said:
“The green and white livery will be introduced to increase public’s confidence that they are hailing a properly-licensed and approved cab.
“The colours are distinctive. They are Plymouth’s colours and promote pride and professionalism. At night, this will help with identification and will support clearer CCTV images if required.
“We know it’s been a tough few years so are giving drivers and operators more time to do this and this is allowable as a business expense.”
From May 1 2022:
- There will be no limit on the number of hackney carriages
- Drivers can return to the trade within three years without having to complete the knowledge test
- The Plymouth Ambassador Course and the English Spoken Test will now be pre-requisites for new drivers
- Both Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Vehicles must take contactless payments by July 2022
- The Department for Transport recommendations for additional DBS requirements for drivers, vehicle proprietors and operators will be introduced
- Operators will be required to keep a register of all booking staff and undertake safeguarding training
- One year licence fees and the first 12 months of a three year licence will now be non-refundable
- A staggered approach to introducing cleaner vehicles by 2030
- Livery for new taxis and for existing from May 2027 (private hire vehicles can no longer be white (existing have until May 2027 to change colour)
