Statement of Licensing Policy 2026

Have your say on changes to our Taxi Licensing Policy.

The Department for Transport (DfT) Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Best Practice Guidance helps local authorities in England regulate taxi and private hire services.

The DfT guidance provides advice on making these services safe, accessible, covering areas like vehicle standards, driver checks, and protecting vulnerable passengers.

City of Doncaster Council is therefore required to update its Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy to reflect recent changes to the guidance made by the DfT.

We are seeking your views on the updated policy in several areas and in line with the national guidance.

These updates include:

• Application requirements: Removal of the requirement for driver references
• Medical fitness: Require a medical at each renewal regardless of Age
• Accessibility: Require a hearing loop where separate partitions are fitted to vehicles
• Vehicle testing: Review of testing facilities to consider allowing vehicles to be tested at external MOT stations
• Vehicle safety: Drivers to carry out and record daily vehicle checks
• Vehicle specifications: Review the use and status of vehicles that have been categorised as write offs
• Vehicle windows: Review the requirements where manufactured tinted glass is fitted
• Vehicle signage: Remove the requirement for a trading name to be shown on vehicle door stickers
• CCTV: Review the requirement for CCTV in all vehicles
• Vehicle emissions: Review requirements for vehicle emission standards

Consultation with residents and other stakeholders is a key part of the review and we would value your thoughts on the proposals.

We are particularly keen to find out if you feel that all relevant areas are being considered and whether you think there are any specific impacts or alternatives that the council and its partners should consider

We welcome comments on the draft DfT policy changes between 26 September 2025 and the 19 December 2025 by completing our short survey which can be accessed below: 

COMPLETE THE SURVEY NOW

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