Lichfield’s New Taxi Policy Officially Published

It has taken a lot of time, a lot of consultation and emails, but the new rules for taxis and private hire drivers & operators in Lichfield has been published.

It seems a long time ago we sat around a table in the Lichfield District Council office to discuss how the council was going to update the policy.

A lot of things have changed since the last update in 2022. We have the wider availability of electric cars, stricter requirements for driver applications and better safeguarding and disability training.

On balance, it looks like a well thought out update. If there is one item we would like to point out, it is the addition of an operator telling a client if it will be a cross-border hire. So if your taxi turns up with Wolverhampton plates, the operator has to have told you beforehand. So if something goes wrong, you can’t complain to Lichfield District Council, you have to go to the council that licenced the vehicle.

We have summarised the other main points:"

Effective April 1, 2025

Application Process

• Simplified and faster application process

• Required documents before applying/renewal:

  • Driver assessment (new drivers only)

  • Medical Certificate (within 28 days of application)

  • Safeguarding training (within 2 months of application)

  • Disability awareness training (by specific deadlines)

  • DBS certificate with update service subscription

  • DVLA check code

  • HMRC tax check code

  • Right to work evidence

Training Requirements

• Safeguarding training:

  • Now delivered by Blue Lamp Trust (online virtual classroom)

  • Required every 3 years, costs £35

  • Must be completed as part of renewal application

• Disability awareness training:

  • One-time requirement (unless significant legal changes)

  • Provided by Blue Lamp Trust, costs £40

  • Deadline for existing drivers: September 30, 2025

Vehicle Requirements

• Updated vehicle age limits:

  • Petrol/diesel: Less than 8 years at first registration, less than 10 years at renewal

  • Hybrid/EV: Less than 10 years at first registration, can be renewed indefinitely if passing inspections

  • Wheelchair accessible vehicles: Less than 10 years at first registration, less than 12 years at renewal

Vehicle Signage Changes

• Door stickers no longer required

• New window signs for rear passenger windows

• Redesigned vehicle license plates

• Dashboard badges replaced with double-sided windscreen badges

Enforcement

• Penalty points system replaced with suspension tariff for condition violations

• Full details in Appendix 11 of the policy

Other Updates

• Out-of-town drivers: Operators must inform customers when journeys are allocated to drivers/vehicles licensed by other authorities

• Pedestrianization: Bollards operational on Bore Street (fully operational from March 24)

• Government Plug-In Taxi Grant extended until March 2026:

  • £4,000 for zero-emission purpose-built taxis

  • Up to £50,000 for zero-emission wheelchair-accessible vehicles

Notification Requirements

• Must inform council within 5 working days of contact detail changes

• Must notify council of absences longer than 28 days

• Must report accidents within 72 hours

• Must report lost badges/licenses immediately

For more information, download a copy of the full policy at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/taxi-private-hire-licences/taxi-private-hire-licences-1/5