A MAJOR update to Teignbridge District Council’s taxi and private hire licensing policy is being proposed as part of plans to improve public safety, raise standards across the trade and support environmental sustainability.

The council has opened a public consultation running from Friday, June 26 until midday on Friday, August 7, inviting views from taxi drivers, private hire operators, passengers, residents and other interested organisations.

The draft policy represents the first full review of the licensing framework in more than 15 years.

While it has been updated over time to reflect legislative changes, the new document brings together national standards, legal requirements and local conditions into a single, more consistent policy.

The aim is to improve clarity, strengthen enforcement and ensure public protection while maintaining practical requirements for drivers and operators.

Among the proposed changes are stricter expectations around driver suitability, including knowledge assessments and language proficiency checks, alongside mandatory training in safeguarding, disability awareness and identifying county lines exploitation.

The council is also proposing tighter controls on vehicle standards, emissions and record keeping.

This includes daily vehicle checks by drivers and six-monthly formal inspections. Other proposals include expectations that drivers predominantly operate within the Teignbridge area, as well as new provisions relating to in-vehicle CCTV and the regulation of horse-drawn carriage services.

Councillor Suzanne Sanders, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, said the review is designed to ensure taxi and private hire services remain safe, reliable and accessible while supporting a fair system for those working in the trade.

‘We want to know whether the proposals strike the right balance between safety, service and reasonable requirements for the trade’, Cllr Sanders said.

Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to view the draft policy and submit feedback via the council’s website or in writing to the Licensing Team at Forde House, Newton Abbot.

All responses will be considered before the final policy is presented to full council later this year.

To view the draft policy, and to take part in the consultation, visit www.teignbridge.gov.uk/licensing/taxis-and-private-hire/hackney-carriage-and-private-hire-policy/