Taxi Leaks: 🟥 𝐓𝐟𝐋, 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐏𝐇𝐕𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞.

In the last THREE weeks, TfL have issued 3082 ‘new’ private hire vehicle licence’s.

Why the big rush, you may well ask?

Have a look at this statement put out by TfL:

Between I January 2020 to 3l December 2022

* PHVs under 18 months old must be zero emission capable (ZEC) and meet the Euro 6 emissions standard when licensed for the first time

* PHs over 18 months old must have a Euro 6 (petrol or diesel) engine when licensed for the first time

From I January 2023

* All PHs licensed for the first time must be ZEC and meet the Euro 6 emissions standard.

So there you have it!

PH drivers are rushing to licence vehicles over 18 months old that are not ZEC for the first time, before the 1st January deadline.

TfL are accommodating this rush, providing so many inspections, they have allegedly run out of Green Roundel badges…. But these latest wave of PHVs are being allowed to work without the roundels.

There have been posts on social media, showing an increasing amount of minicabs, without the licence roundels, working around London.

𝐓𝐀𝐗𝐈 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐒 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐈𝐓:

As a result of TfL bending over backwards to facilitate this massive expansion of PH vehicles, Licensed Taxi drivers are finding it very difficult to get appointments as PHVs are being given priority.

𝐍𝐨𝐰, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐟𝐋 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰!

I’ve posted many times about licence renewal holdups, where the Transport Act 1985 section 17(7) gives you the right to continue to work under your expired licence, until you are in possession of your renewal….but did you know that this act is also applicable to the vehicle licence plate?

So if your Taxi plate expires and through no fault or your own, you are having difficulty booking an appointment with NSL, then your old plate stays valid, until you vehicle has been inspected.